The Czech Republic’s Pravcicka Bana is one of the largest natural stone arches in the world.
The country’s national monument is a prominent archway that stretches 26.5 metres, and has a width of eight metres and arches three metres. It is located in the Elbe Sandstone mountains, Bohemian Switzerland, which is an extension of Saxon, Switzerland in Germany.
The Pravcicka Bana is one of the region’s most striking monuments and, because of its significance, it is protected as a national nature monument.
But how did this “icon of the entire Bohemian Switzerland” come about?
Around 90 million years ago, in the late Cretaceous period, the sea began to retreat and as a result vast plateaus of sandstone from the ocean floor.
The softness of the rock meant that the River Elbe, one of Central Europe’s major rivers, could easily cut through sections of the sandstone, leaving behind phenomal rock formations, including the Pravcicka Bana.
Whilst many would dream to cross the archway, it is actually prohibited and its status is the reason why. It was once open to visitors, who had the opportunity to cross it.
However, due to heavy erosion, the arch is out of bounds to prevent it from collapsing – this has been the case since 1982.
Tourists can still experience a wonderful trip to the area. Back in 1881, the Austrian prince Edmund Clary-Aldringen built the Falkennest (Falcon’s Nest) which is “one of Europe’s very first tourist destinations”. The summerhouse was built on his estate next to the Pravcicka Gate.
The Pravcicka Gate and Falcon’s Nest has been privately owned since the 19th century and is also open for visitors daily between 28 March and October from 10am to 6pm. Its schedule between November and March changes to the gate being open Friday to Sunday between 10am and 4pm.
The entrance fee for adults is 4 euros (£3.33) and for children, students and seniors aged 65 and older it costs 1.5 euros (£1.25).
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Publish date : 2025-02-05 00:27:00
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