Recent photographs

An outcropping in the Bastei stands out against fog-shrouded cliffs in the background. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

Visitors to the Bastei walk across the 250-foot long Bastei Bridge that rises about 500 above the nearby Elbe River. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

Rock columns, some shrouded by fog, rise in the Bastei, a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

Rock columns, some shrouded by fog, rise in the Bastei, a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

A wall of rocks blocks the view in the Bastei, a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

Visitors to the Bastei stand on an observation platform surrounded by fog. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

Visitors to the Bastei pass through an opening in the rocks at the end of the Bastei Bridge. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

Visitors to the Bastei climb to an observation platform before crossing a metal bridge to continue their hike. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

Columns of rocks in the Bastei stand tall in the fog. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

Visitors to the Bastei use steps and metal bridges to cross a valley. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

The Mönch or Mönchstein (Monk in English) is a rock formation in the Bastei, named centuries ago by those who thought the shape of the rock resembled praying hands. A weather vane at the top of the formation (shaped like a monk) was erected in 1887. The current weather vane replaced the original in 1957. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

The Mönch or Mönchstein (Monk in English) is a rock formation in the Bastei, named centuries ago by those who thought the shape of the rock resembled praying hands. A weather vane at the top of the formation (shaped like a monk) was erected in 1887. The current weather vane replaced the original in 1957. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago. ago by those who thought the shape of the rock resembled praying hands.

Columns of rocks in the Bastei rise through the fog. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

A monk weathervane in the Bastei overlooks houses on the Elbe River near Rathen, Germany. The Mönch or Mönchstein (Monk in English) is a rock formation in the Bastei, named century ago by those who thought the shape of the rock resembled praying hands. A weather vane at the top of the formation (shaped like a monk) was erected in 1887. The current weather vane replaced the original in 1957. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

A large rock formation in the Bastei dwarfs visitors on an observation platform on top. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

Rocks in the Bastei are shrouded by fog. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

Walls of rock in the Bastei are partially shrouded by fog. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

Rock columns in the Bastei are partially obscured by morning fog. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.

A rock outcropping in the Bastei stands out against the fog-shrouded wall of rock in the background. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago.