Those who are equally interested in outstandingurban cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes and is not put off by culinary specialities such as "dead granny" or "cold dog", the section of the Elbe from Dresden to the Czech border is an absolute must.
While countless art treasures and magnificent buildings steal the show in the so-called Florence on the Elbe, Saxon Switzerland offers a monumental theatre of the forces of nature.
Many skippers have not yet ventured into the far eastern region of Germany on their own keel, partly due to the fickle nature of the upper Elbe. However, with a little pioneering spirit and good preparation, nothing stands in the way of exploring the region, and even if the local dialect sometimes takes some getting used to, the helpfulness and warmth of the Elbe Saxons towards guest skippers is unrivalled. And as we all know, the sun rises in the east!
Places of interest: Dresden
Frauenkirche, Semperoper, Brühl's Terrace, Zwinger, Residenzschloss, Albertinum. TheSaxon capital is a must for anyone interested in history and art. By the way, the idyllicElbe Valley Dresden is one of the greenest cities in Europe and for a number of years was able to call itself aUNESCO World Heritage Site boast. The "Old Masters" gallery in theSemperbau at the Zwinger boasts works by Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens and the "local hero" Canaletto. In the Albertinum, on the other hand, you can marvel at the "New Masters" of Caspar David Friedrich, Otto Dix and Max Liebermann.
The city's landmark, the resurrected Frauenkirche, is one of the most impressive Protestant churches in the world - something that US President Obama has already had the honour of seeing for himself.
In front of the Brühl Terrace is the historicPaddle steamer fleetwhich, with its nine ships, is considered to be the oldest and largest in the world. The steaming monuments run daily between Diesbar-Seußlitz and Bad Schandau and make the wheel of time seem to run backwards in the heart of Saxony.
The most beautiful view of Dresden's unique city skyline can be enjoyed from the right bank of the Elbe below the Augustus Bridge.
In order not to miss the famous Canaletto view, a frame has been erected here. Photographed through it, anyone can capture their own personal postcard motif including a composition by the old master. In the evening, culture-loving visitors can experience a "blue wonder" in the Outer New Town with its approximately100 pubs or at the latest upstream on the Elbe at kilometre 49.79 in the form of the road bridge of the same name, which has crossed the Elbe since 1893 by means of its imposing steel structure.
Pillnitz Palace and Park
At kilometre 43 on the right bank of the Elbe there is anotherPearl of the Elbe ValleyPillnitz Palace and its lush gardens. In the baroque 18th century, it was considered chic to copy Chinese architectural elements, and so this palace was built.Unique castle complex in today's urban area of Dresden.
The Water Palace with its grand staircase to the Elbe, the Bergpalais, the Orangerie and six interconnected gardens with botanical marvellousness from all over the world invite you to make an extensive flying visit. Another highlight isthe camellia imported from Asiawhich enchants visitors with tens of thousands of flowers from mid-February to April.
Wehlen
A stay here is a must, as the idyllic small town impresses with its romantic flairin medieval garb. On the market square, you can enjoy "dead granny" and "cold dog" in one of the cafés while you watch the hustle and bustle around the market square.Fountain, half-timbered houses and the cyclist's church observed. A path leads up the slope in just a few minutes, from where the view over the city, countryside and river is best enjoyed with a sweet from theCandy manufactory enjoys.
Rathen
On both sides of the Elbe and at the foot of an imposing rocky backdrop of Elbe sandstone lies theHealth resort Rathenbeautifully packaged with half-timbered houses and lots of greenery. An old yaw rope ferry serves as the only connection between the two districts of Oberrathen and Niederrathen. As a popular starting point for hikers and climbers, the main attraction of Saxon Switzerland can also be scaled from here:The bastiona spectacular rock formation from which you can enjoy picturesque views of the Elbe Valley and Saxon Switzerland.The only fly in the ointment:the nearest marina is 3 km downstream in Wehlen.
Saxon Switzerland National Park
"I feel too weak to describe all this vividly. This charming region doesn't want to be described, it wants to be seen."
Somehow, the pastor and passionate nature lover W. L. Götzinger managed to publish the first travel guide in 1804, which paved the way for the Tourist development of today's national park.
Famous for its hiking trails and climbing routes through wooded rocky areas, Saxon Switzerland also has a surprise in store for boaters: the Elbe not only offers its first section on German territory here, but alsothe most spectacular and picturesque. The right bank of the Elbe triumphs with imposing rocky reefs rising up from the lush green of the dense forest. On the left bank, scattered table mountains stand out, includingthe towering Königstein with its fortress of the same name.
Harbours: km 58.50 (RU): Motorwassersportverein Elbflorenz
Leipziger Straße 97 a, 01127 Dresden-Pieschen, Tel: 0172 3947661 www.motorwassersport.dresden.ms (still under construction)
Water depth problematic. Service: Electricity/water provisionally possible by arrangement with cable drum and water hose, 2 guest berths up to 8 m, 1 € per boat metre, WC and shower 1 €, registration highly advisable, 200 m to supermarket, 500 m to petrol station, no more slipway.
km 57.30 (RU): Yachtsteg Winterhafen Dresden-Neustadt
Leipziger Straße 25 (behind), 01097 Dresden-Neustadt, Tel: 0172-376 26 87. www.yachthafendresden.de
Service: guaranteed water depth 1.50 m, 5 guest berths 8-10 m + 1 guest berth 15-18 m), 1 € per boat metre, electricity at the jetty (costs as required approx. 1-2 €), water at the jetty (coin-operated machine: 0.50 € for 50/60 l), WC and shower (1 €), 5 min to Lidel/Netto/baker/filling station, tram stop "Alter Schlachthof" directly at the harbour.
km 50.40 (RU): Motorwassersportclub "Elbe" Dresden
Körnerweg 23, 01326 Dresden, Tel: 0351-252 52 03. www.mc-elbe-dresden.de
Drive into the centre, water depth corresponds approximately to the Dresden water level.Service: 6 guest berths for boats up to 10 m, 1 € per boat metre, 100 l water in a canister free of charge - each additional 100 l for 1 €, WC and shower 1 €, electricity at the jetty, waste disposal, boathouse with cooking facilities, members are happy to provide fuel by car, Site and sanitary facilities locked - key against €25 deposit, washing machine €2, tumble dryer €2, slip €25, car and trailer parking spaces €4 + €0.50, caravan €6, residual waste and on-board WC €1, 5 min to bakery/confectionery/restaurants, 20 min to shops/doctors/banks.
km 48.30 (LU): Dresdner Segelclub von 1910
Tolkewitzer Straße 81, 01277 Dresden Tolkewitz, Tel: 0176-70 43 00 13. www.dsc1910.de
Marvellous view of the "Blue Wonder".Service:Up to 10 guest berths, €1 per metre of boat, sanitary facilities, shower, waste disposal included, rail slipway, water depth 1 to 1.50 m, outside berths on the long jetty can also be used at extremely low water (70-80 cm), locked facility - key against €50 deposit.
km 47.30 (RU): Dresden Wachwitz Sailing Club
Pillnitzer Landstraße 156a, 01326 Dresden-Wachwitz, Tel: 0178-568 38 24 and 0173-930 74 22. www.segeln-dresden.de
Service: Guaranteed harbour depth up to 2 m, 3-4 guest berths, 1 € per m boat length, slipway trolley for boats up to 6 m length and 2 t at any water level, trailer parking by arrangement, WC/shower, electricity at the jetty, water with canister, waste disposal, bakery 200 m, petrol station 2.5 km, upscale restaurant "Elbterrasse Wachwitz" with rooms on neighbouring property.
km 43.00 (LU): Dresdner Segel-Verein Pillnitzer Insel 1928
Zschierener Elbstraße/Wilhelm-Weitling-Straße, 01259 Dresden-Zschachwitz, Tel: 0171-559 23 86 and 0351-288 14 94. www.segelverein-pillnitz.de
Idyllic harbour in the Pillnitz oxbow lake on the other side of the Elbe from Pillnitz Castle.Service:Few free pitches - so be sure to book in advance, €1 per boat metre, large club grounds with parking facilities for cars and trailers (€0.50/day each), motorhomes €13/day, electricity €1, sanitary facilities and waste disposal €1, swimming pool on the club grounds, camping €3/day adult and €1.50 child.
km 33.50 (RU): Sportverein "Fortschritt" Pirna, sailing department
Postaer Straße, 01796 Pirna, OT. Copitz, Tel: 03501-52 79 54. www.sv-fortschritt-pirna.de
Unfortunately, the harbour has a constant problem with silting and water depth.Service:1 € per metre of boat, electricity at the jetty, slipway, clubhouse with WC and washing facilities 400 m downstream, parking facilities for trailer carriages.
km 26.10 (RU): Wehlen sports boat landing stage
Markt 8, 01829 Wehlen, Tel: 0172-649 86 18 Magnificent panoramic view of the Bastei.
Service: 1 m water depth guaranteed, boats up to 10 m long, € 1 per boat metre, water and electricity as required, slipway made of natural stone for smaller boats, WC and shower € 1 in the holiday apartment at the "Welyn" café directly opposite, rooms and holiday apartments can also be booked, reservation advisable.
km 8,00 (RU): Yachtclub Postelwitz
Elbufer, 01814 Postelwitz, Tel: 035022 4192 Last landing stage before the Czech Republic near the "Schrammsteine" rock massif.
Service: 7 guest berths, €1 per metre of boat incl. electricity and water, waste disposal, WC and shower €1, bike hire just across the road, mooring possible on the other side of the Elbe for a meal in the "Ziegelscheune" country inn, which offers culinary delicacies from the region, advance booking advisable.
Nautical information
Depending on the water level, the upper Elbe is between 100 and 130 metres wide, with a navigation channel of around 50 metres. The current speed is 4-5 km/h.The water flow of the upper Elbe is subject to strong seasonal fluctuations. Melting snow in the Giant Mountains, the source area of the Elbe, regularly leads to spring floods, with water levels rising quickly by three to four metres. Persistent heavy rainfall in summer and autumn has the same effect.
The highest navigable water level is five metres, above which navigation is blocked. In general, high water should only be navigated with the appropriate drive power. Prolonged dry periods, on the other hand, quickly cause the water level to fall below one metre. In the navigation channel, the immersion depth is usually deeper than the water level, so it can usually be navigated as long as the skipper stays on track.
The harbours, on the other hand, haveResistant with low water and silting so that special attention must be paid to the respective water depths and their approach. If in doubt, it is advisable to call the relevant harbour to obtain up-to-date information. A yaw rope ferry is in operation in Rathen, which may only be passed if the ferry is on the right bank. At high tide, a free-moving ferry is used instead.
On the older arch bridges in Pirna and Dresden strong currents and turbulence must be expected. Onward travel to the Czech Republic is possible without any special formalities. In general, the development of the water levels at the gauges in Usti nad Labem (Czech Republic), Schöna and Dresden as well as the fairway depth of the respective stretches of the Elbe must be observed.
of the respective stretches of the Elbe.
▸ Automatic level measurement announcement Dresden:
0351 19429
▸ Automatic measured water level announcement Schöna:
035028 19429
▸ Magdeburg control centre: 0391 598198250
