A journey through Saxony should start with one of the most spectacular sites in Europe - the Bastei Bridge and the surrounding Saxon Switzerland National Park. Together, these two sites create an unforgettable symbiosis of human ingenuity and the power of nature.

The Bastei Bridge is a true marvel of engineering and one of the most recognizable symbols of Saxony. This stone structure, suspended 194 meters above the Elbe valley, was built in 1851, replacing an earlier wooden bridge from 1824. The bridge's seven majestic arches connect rock formations, offering breathtaking views of the river valley and surrounding mountains. Interestingly, the bridge is not used for transportation purposes - it was created exclusively for tourists, who came in large numbers back in the 19th century to admire these remarkable landscapes.

There is a fascinating legend associated with the bridge. According to local legends, on nights of a full moon, mysterious harp sounds can be heard here. This is said to be the spirit of a young girl who fell in love with a poor harpist. When her parents forbade the relationship, the couple decided to jump off a cliff. Since then, the girl's spirit has been returning to play the melodies of her unfulfilled love.

The Saxon Switzerland National Park, where the Bastei Bridge is located, is a true paradise for lovers of nature and active recreation. Established in 1990, it covers an area of more than 93 square kilometers and protects unique sandstone formations that formed about 100 million years ago, when the area was the bottom of a prehistoric sea. Wind and water erosion shaped these rocks into fantastic forms - towers, tables, canyons and labyrinths.

The park offers more than 400 kilometers of hiking trails of varying difficulty and hundreds of climbing routes, making it one of the most popular destinations for climbers in Europe. It is worth knowing that it was here that the so-called 'freeclimbing' was born - a form of climbing without the use of artificial facilities, which later spread around the world.

Another remarkable attraction of the park is the Schrammsteine, a spectacular rock complex that inspired the famous Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich. The artist spent most of his life in Dresden and created 150 paintings inspired by the landscapes of Saxony, including the famous 'Wanderer on the Sea of Fog,' which is a masterpiece of Romantic art.

As you wander through the park, you'll come across hidden caves, mysterious gorges and wild forests that are home to rare plant and animal species. Especially worth a visit is the Kuhstall (Cowshed), a huge natural rock bridge that, according to legend, served as a shelter for cattle during the Thirty Years' War, hence its name. Another fascinating site is Affensteine - a group of rocks whose name comes from the word 'affe' (monkey), as their shapes resemble these animals.

Leaving the wilderness of Saxon Switzerland, we move to the heart of the region - Dresden, a city of extraordinary history and cultural richness, home to two exceptional monuments: the Baroque Zwinger complex and the Church of the Virgin Mary, rebuilt from the ashes.

The Zwinger is a true gem of Baroque architecture and one of the finest examples of this style in Europe. This impressive palace complex was built between 1710 and 1728 at the behest of Augustus II the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. The ambitious ruler, fascinated by the splendor of the French court, wanted to create a place worthy of his art collection and a space for lavish court ceremonies. The name 'Zwinger' can be translated as 'the space between the walls,' referring to the original location of the complex between the inner and outer walls of the city.

Designed by Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann and decorated with sculptures by Balthasar Permoser, the Zwinger impresses with its harmonious proportions, rich decoration and thoughtful spatial layout. Particularly impressive is the Coronation Gate (Kronentor), the symbol of the complex, crowned with a gilded royal crown. It is worth knowing that the Zwinger was originally intended to be only a part of a much larger palace complex, but these plans were never fully realized.

Today, the Zwinger houses several world-class museums, including the famous Old Masters Gallery (Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister), where you can admire masterpieces by artists such as Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt and Vermeer. A special treasure of the gallery is Raphael's 'Sistine Madonna,' a painting that has inspired countless artists and thinkers, including Goethe and Dostoevsky. The complex also houses the Mathematics and Physics Salon, with a collection of historical scientific instruments, and the Porcelain Collection, showcasing the wares of the famous Meissen manufactory.

Not far from the Zwinger rises the majestic Church of the Virgin Mary (Frauenkirche), a symbol of Dresden's destruction and rebirth. This monumental Protestant temple was built between 1726 and 1743, designed by George Bähr. Its distinctive dome, known as the 'stone bell,' dominated the city skyline for two centuries, until the tragic night of February 13-14, 1945.

During the Allied bombing raids on Dresden, which claimed the lives of some 25,000 people, the church initially survived. But two days later, the weakened structure could not withstand the high temperatures and collapsed, leaving only a section of the wall, which became a symbol of the destroyed city. For decades, the ruins remained untouched as a memento of the war, and East German authorities made no attempt to rebuild.

It wasn't until after German reunification, in 1994, that an ambitious project to reconstruct the church began, which was completed in 2005. Fascinatingly, the rebuilt church uses some 3,800 original stones, which can be recognized by their darker color against the new, light-colored elements. This 'scar' on the body of the building is a moving testimony to history. It is worth knowing that donors from all over the world, including Britain, whose air force bombed the city - a gesture of symbolic reconciliation - participated in financing the reconstruction.

The interior of the church impresses with its bright colors, three levels of emporiums and acoustics that make it an excellent venue for sacred music concerts. The observation deck on the dome offers a panoramic view of Dresden and the Elbe valley. Particularly touching is the so-called 'Coventry Cross' - made of nails from the English Coventry Cathedral destroyed during German air raids, symbolizing forgiveness and reconciliation between nations.

To complete the Saxon tour, visit two sites that uniquely illustrate the power and wealth of the region's former rulers: the monumental Königstein Fortress and the fairy-tale Moritzburg Palace.

Königstein Fortress is one of the largest mountain defense complexes in Europe, majestically towering over the Elbe Valley. Located on the flat top of the table mountain of the same name, it rises 240 meters above river level, offering breathtaking views of Saxon Switzerland. The history of the site dates back to the 12th century, when a medieval castle was built here, but the fortress owes its current shape to extensions carried out in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Over the centuries Königstein served a variety of functions - it was not only a military facility, but also a residence for rulers, a state prison for particularly important captives and a treasury. Fascinatingly, the fortress was never taken by force, which testifies to the ingenuity of its designers. One of the most remarkable features of the complex is the 152.5-meter-deep well, carved into the rock between 1563 and 1569, which provided the crew with access to water even during a prolonged siege.

There are many fascinating stories and legends associated with the fortress. One of them is the tale of alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttger, who was imprisoned here by Augustus II the Strong with the task of discovering the secret of gold production. Although he failed to do so, he accidentally discovered the recipe for European porcelain, which led to the creation of the famous Meissen manufactory and brought great wealth to Saxony.

When visiting the fortress, one can admire the impressive fortifications, the arsenal, the barracks, the commandant's house and the oldest surviving building - the garrison chapel from 1676. Of particular interest is the Friedrichsburg pavilion from 1731, which served as a luxurious resting place for King August II the Strong during hunting trips. The fortress walls offer a panoramic view of the surrounding area, which is stunning in any season.

Moving from the austere military atmosphere of Königstein to a world of aristocratic splendor, we arrive at Moritzburg Palace, one of the most beautiful Baroque residences in Germany. This fairy-tale palace, built on an artificial island in the midst of four ponds, was originally built as a hunting lodge for Duke Maurice of Saxony between 1542 and 1546, but owes its present impressive shape to a reconstruction commissioned by Augustus II the Strong between 1723 and 1733.

Moritzburg is famous for its extraordinary collection of hunting trophies - in the Deer Hall you can admire more than 70 antlers, including a record-breaking deer antler weighing 19.8 kg and with 66 legs. The palace's interiors impress with a wealth of decoration, gilded leather wallpaper and a collection of furniture. Particularly impressive is the so-called 'feather bed' of August II - a bed decorated with more than a million colorful feathers of exotic birds.

An interesting fact is that in 1973 scenes for the cult Czech-German film fairy tale 'Three Peanuts for Cinderella' were filmed in the palace, which contributed to the immense popularity of the building among tourists from Central Europe. A special exhibition dedicated to the film is held every year during the holiday season, attracting thousands of fans.

The surroundings of the palace are also a paradise for lovers of nature and active recreation. The extensive landscaped park, numerous ponds and forests provide the perfect place for walks and bicycle tours. Also worth a visit is Fasanenschlösschen, a small palace near the main residence, built in the Rococo style as a pavilion for resting while hunting.

Moritzburg is also famous for its Stallion Parade, held since 1884 - one of the most important equestrian events in Germany, which showcases the most beautiful horses from the local stud farm. This tradition, interrupted only during the World Wars, attracts horse lovers from all over Europe and is a living testimony to the region's rich breeding traditions.