Dečín Guide
The North Bohemian town of Děčín stretches along the banks of the Elbe River at the confluence with the Ploučnice. This lowest town on the Elbe is the gateway to the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, surrounded by majestic rock formations and historical monuments. The river Elbe, which divides the city into two parts, gives the city a specific character. One side of the river is decorated with a magnificent castle and the other is decorated with the Shepherd's Rock with a view of the same name. Děčín is an important transport hub between the Czech Republic and Germany. It is accessible by both rail and car.
History
The place of today's Děčín was originally settled as a ford on an important trade route. A Přemyslid fort was gradually established on the site of today's chateau, the aim of which was to guard waterways. In the 13th century, Přemysl Otakar II founded a royal city here and built a Gothic castle here. The Děčín estate then owned several families over the centuries. The construction of the railway, which connected Prague and Dresden, brought a great boom to the city in the 19th century.
Attractions
As we have already mentioned, the main landmark of the town is Děčín Castle. To which leads a unique access road carved into the rock, the so-called. "A long ride." The castle itself offers several sightseeing tours. A part of the chateau complex is also a beautiful Rose Garden. On the opposite side of the river rises the sandstone massif of the Shepherd's Wall with a romantic view and a cruise restaurant. Via Ferrata has been a part of this sandstone massif since 2014. It offers 16 different difficult routes to the top. Admission is free, but it is necessary to rent a ferrata set (necessary equipment for exit). Another popular place is the Děčín Zoo, which is located right next to the Shepherd's Wall.
Trips to the surroundings
You will find so many trips to the surroundings of Děčín that it is not possible to describe them all. If you set out from Děčín in the direction of Tisá, the beautiful Děčínský Sněžník lookout tower awaits you. There are many hiking trails in the area, which will take you within a few kilometers to Tiské skaly, where you can explore the beautiful Rock City. If you go from Děčín to the other side, another natural parade of Bohemian Switzerland awaits you, including the Pravčická gate, Edmund's and Wild gorge, Dolský mlýn or breathtaking views. There is really so much to discover here that one or two visits will not be enough for you.
Accommodation
If you want to live near Děčín Castle, we can recommend Hotel Česká Koruna or Ubytování U Pekaře in the city center. Those who like historic buildings, will certainly enjoy accommodation in Zlatá Lípa - Wellness Hotel or Hotel U Kaple, which is housed in a former monastery building. Families with children will certainly appreciate the Hotel Kocanda with a playground.