The Prebisch Gate natural monument - one of the most famous rock formations in the Czech Republic
Located 3 kilometres from Hřensko, close to the German-Czech border, the rock gate is the symbol of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. With a height of 16 metres, a span of almost 27 metres and an arch width of 7-8 metres, it is the largest sandstone rock gate in Europe.
Fascinating views can be enjoyed from the accessible rocks above the "Sokolí hnízdo" restaurant (building from 1881). The Prebisch Gate has been attracting visitors since the end of the 18th century. The large number of visitors led to increased erosion in the upper parts and damage to the gate. For this reason, access to the gate was banned for tourists in 1982. The aim of the protective measures is to maintain the current state and natural development of the sandstone cliffs and to minimise the negative anthropogenic impact.
In 2009, the Prebischtor was shortlisted as one of the 77 semi-finalists for the "New Seven Wonders of the World". More than 200,000 visitors from Germany and abroad visit this natural monument every year.
The monumental rock bridge not only fascinates visitors who climb up to the Prebisch Gate, but also scientists. For years, they have been puzzling over why the Prebischtor did not collapse long ago. The rock arch is actually too thin and too brittle to withstand the stress of its own weight and the repeated expansion and contraction of the rock due to fluctuations in the ambient temperature. The scientists came to the conclusion that the Prebischtor is actually formed by two separate rocks (see the image of the Prebischtor, where these two rocks are shown in different colours). This means that the arch is not under so much tension that it breaks. It would be different if the rock arch were firmly connected to the rock massif on both sides. Nevertheless, the gate is constantly monitored and measured with special measuring devices that register every movement. Experts also observe the decay of the gate's surface due to weathering processes caused by long-term air pollution and the rock's reaction to acid rain.
In May 1808, Caspar David Friedrich set off on a hike in Bohemian Switzerland. His destination was the Prebischtor area, where he wanted to see the Rosenberg and Kaltenberg mountains up close. He travelled for three days and drew four sketches on one sheet of paper. Friedrich had climbed the Winterberg, crossed the Bohemian border and hiked on towards the Prebischtor. This was the usual route of the Fremdenweg at the time. Find out more about Caspar David Friedrich in Saxon Switzerland
Hiking tip: To Prebischtor
Fascinating views can be enjoyed from the accessible rocks above the "Sokolí hnízdo" restaurant (building from 1881). The Prebisch Gate has been attracting visitors since the end of the 18th century. The large number of visitors led to increased erosion in the upper parts and damage to the gate. For this reason, access to the gate was banned for tourists in 1982. The aim of the protective measures is to maintain the current state and natural development of the sandstone cliffs and to minimise the negative anthropogenic impact.
In 2009, the Prebischtor was shortlisted as one of the 77 semi-finalists for the "New Seven Wonders of the World". More than 200,000 visitors from Germany and abroad visit this natural monument every year.
The monumental rock bridge not only fascinates visitors who climb up to the Prebisch Gate, but also scientists. For years, they have been puzzling over why the Prebischtor did not collapse long ago. The rock arch is actually too thin and too brittle to withstand the stress of its own weight and the repeated expansion and contraction of the rock due to fluctuations in the ambient temperature. The scientists came to the conclusion that the Prebischtor is actually formed by two separate rocks (see the image of the Prebischtor, where these two rocks are shown in different colours). This means that the arch is not under so much tension that it breaks. It would be different if the rock arch were firmly connected to the rock massif on both sides. Nevertheless, the gate is constantly monitored and measured with special measuring devices that register every movement. Experts also observe the decay of the gate's surface due to weathering processes caused by long-term air pollution and the rock's reaction to acid rain.
In May 1808, Caspar David Friedrich set off on a hike in Bohemian Switzerland. His destination was the Prebischtor area, where he wanted to see the Rosenberg and Kaltenberg mountains up close. He travelled for three days and drew four sketches on one sheet of paper. Friedrich had climbed the Winterberg, crossed the Bohemian border and hiked on towards the Prebischtor. This was the usual route of the Fremdenweg at the time. Find out more about Caspar David Friedrich in Saxon Switzerland
Hiking tip: To Prebischtor