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.

For the railway station in the Scottish village, see Rathen railway station.
Rathen
Coat of arms
Location of Rathen within Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district
AltenbergBad Gottleuba-BerggießhübelBad SchandauBahretalBannewitzDippoldiswaldeDohmaDohnaDorfhainDürrröhrsdorf-DittersbachFreitalGeisingGlashütteGohrischHartmannsdorf-ReichenauHeidenauHermsdorfHöckendorfHohnsteinKirnitzschtalKönigsteinKreischaLiebstadtLohmenMüglitztalNeustadt in SachsenPirnaPorschdorfPretzschendorfRabenauRathenRathmannsdorfReinhardtsdorf-SchönaRosenthal-BielatalSchmiedebergSebnitzSebnitzStadt WehlenStruppenStolpenTharandtWilsdruffSaxonyCzech RepublicBautzen (district)DresdenMittelsachsen
Rathen
Rathen
Coordinates: 50°57′N 14°05′E
CountryGermany
StateSaxony
DistrictSächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge
Municipal assoc.Königstein/Sächs. Schweiz
Subdivisions2
Government
 • MayorThomas Richter
Area
 • Total3.58 km2 (1.38 sq mi)
Elevation
112 m (367 ft)
Population
 (2018-12-31)[1]
 • Total348
 • Density97/km2 (250/sq mi)
Time zoneCET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes
01824
Dialling codes035024
Vehicle registrationPIR
WebsiteOfficial website
Rathen shortly after the 2006 flood

Overview
district Oberrathen - view from Bastei

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
View of Rathen from the Bastei
See also: Rock climbing in Saxon Switzerland

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

References
  1. "Bevölkerung des Freistaates Sachsen jeweils am Monatsende ausgewählter Berichtsmonate nach Gemeinden" (PDF). Statistisches Landesamt des Freistaates Sachsen (in German). July 2019.
  2. Christine O'Keefe. Concentration Camps
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