Rathen
Rathen is a village in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, in Saxony, Germany, about 35 km southeast of Dresden on the Elbe River. Rathen has between 400 and 500 inhabitants.
Rathen | |
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![]() Coat of arms | |
Location of Rathen within Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() Rathen ![]() ![]() Rathen | |
Coordinates: 50°57′N 14°05′E | |
Country | Germany |
State | Saxony |
District | Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge |
Municipal assoc. | Königstein/Sächs. Schweiz |
Subdivisions | 2 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Thomas Richter |
Area | |
• Total | 3.58 km2 (1.38 sq mi) |
Elevation | 112 m (367 ft) |
Population (2018-12-31)[1] | |
• Total | 348 |
• Density | 97/km2 (250/sq mi) |
Time zone | CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) |
Postal codes | 01824 |
Dialling codes | 035024 |
Vehicle registration | PIR |
Website | Official website |
![](../I/m/Kurtort_Rathen_Ortsansicht.jpg)
Overview
![](../I/m/Rathen_aus_Sicht_der_Bastei.jpg)
Rathen is a popular tourist destination, the main sights are the Bastei cliffs, the Amselsee (a lake), and the outdoor theater "Felsenbühne Rathen".
The Rathen Ferry, a passenger reaction ferry, connects Niederrathen, on the right bank of the Elbe river, to Oberrathen on the left bank. Kurort Rathen railway station, on the Dresden S-Bahn and the Dresden to Prague railway, is adjacent to the Oberrathen ferry terminal. Rathen is also a stop for the paddle steamers operating between Dresden and the Czech border.
History
Rathen was founded in the 13th century around 1261 as place for a castle fortress.
During World War II, a subcamp of Flossenbürg concentration camp was located here.[2]
Tourism
![](../I/m/Rathen_LC0154.jpg)
The state-recognised climatic spa of Rathen is not only the base for tours in the western part of Saxon Switzerland, but also for the world-famous Bastei rocks. Other popular destinations in the local Amselgrund valley are the lake of Amselsee and the Rathen Open Air Stage. There are a good 400 inhabitants on both sides of the Elbe, linked by a historic reaction ferry, that is a protected monument. In addition to the Old Mill of 1567, which was nearly demolished after the hundred year flood, there is a range of other timber-framed houses.
Due to its proximity to the town of Wehlen the following wordplay saying is given to visitors: "Sie können Rathen wählen, ich würde Ihnen auch zu Wehlen raten." ("You can choose Rathen, I would also recommend Wehlen to you.")
Local places of interest
- Bastei with the Schweizerhaus, Bastei bridge and Bastei lookout
- Rathen Open Air Stage in the Wehlgrund
- Rhododendron park on the Kleine Bastei
- Rauenstein
- Amselgrund and Amsel Falls
- Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Castles of Neurathen and Altrathen
- Largest garden railway in the world at Eisenbahnwelten im Kurort Rathen
- Schwedenlöcher
References
- "Bevölkerung des Freistaates Sachsen jeweils am Monatsende ausgewählter Berichtsmonate nach Gemeinden" (PDF). Statistisches Landesamt des Freistaates Sachsen (in German). July 2019.
- Christine O'Keefe. Concentration Camps