Pastýřská stěna
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Decin_CZ_Pastyrska_stena_069.jpg/280px-Decin_CZ_Pastyrska_stena_069.jpg)
The Pastýřská stěna, also Ovčí stěna (German: Schäferwand, English: Shepherd's Wall), is a sandstone rock massif on the shores of the River Elbe in the borough of Děčín (Tetschen) in the Czech Republic.
History
[edit]According to language researchers, the name goes back to the German Schiefe Wand which means "inclined wall". The present Czech name is a translation of its German name, Schäferwand.
As early as the 19th century the Schäferwand (it was then Austrian) was a popular tourist destination due to its striking appearance. As a result it was decided to build a wooden refuge hut that, in 1905, was replaced by a solid wooden building in the shape of a romantic castle, and which still stands on the Schäferwand today. From the terrace of the restaurant there is a picturesque view of the Elbe valley and Děčín Castle opposite.
After 1945 the zoo from Děčín was moved to the plateau. Within the rock a lift was built from the Elbe road to the hill plateau, which is currently out of service (as at 2006).
A tunnel on the Dresden–Děčín railway runs through the rock.
For hikers a red signposted trail runs from the station at Děčín to the summit and continues to the Hoher Schneeberg.
Gallery
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Climbing routes on the Schäferwand
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View from the Pastýřská stěna over Děčín to the right bank of the Elbe
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View of the station at Děčín from the Schäferwand
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Disused climbing routes on the Schäferwand and view of the castle