Barrier-free parking at the Bastei in Saxon Switzerland

The parking lot at the Bastei in Saxon Switzerland has been barrier-free since mid-July. The municipality of Lohmen, to which the popular excursion destination in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains belongs, replaced the previous system with a digital one using vehicle recognition. "It was so outdated and prone to faults that there was always a traffic jam," said Mayor Silke Großmann. Now the license plates are scanned on entry and exit. You can choose between a four-hour ticket for 7 euros and a day ticket for 12 euros. Payment can be made digitally or in cash. "The municipality has not increased the rates."

No more traffic jams on the access road

The advantage for the municipality and guests is that the access road is no longer blocked by cars waiting for a free space and buses, hotel guests, delivery vehicles or the ambulance can get through. And right from the start, it will be indicated when the 180 or so car and 10 bus parking spaces are occupied and the fall-back parking lot must be used there, said Großmann.

The famous area high above the Elbe with the Bastei rock and bridge and over one million visitors a year is one of the most striking places in the tourist region and is the starting point for many hikes, for example into the Schwedenlöcher, a gorge-like ravine.