Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Ripples in the land are remnants of the field walls that once held rows of native sugarcane and sweet potatoes.
Unearthing the Mysteries of Hawai'i's Ancient Agriculture
Petrified Forest National Park.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Germany Rathen Rathen Open Air Stage

Rathen Open Air Stage

This stone amphitheater was once part of Nazi Germany's plan to promote propaganda.

Rathen, Germany

Added By
Sandra Lang
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Rathen Open Air Stage.   Vololona / Atlas Obscura User
Rathen Open Air Stage.   Germaneon/cc by 2.5
Rathen Open Air Stage.   Brück & Sohn Kunstverlag Meißen/cc by-sa 3.0
Rathen Open Air Stage.   Dr. Bernd Gross/cc by-sa 3.0
Rathen Open Air Stage.   Vololona / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Considered one of Europe’s most beautiful open-air stages, visitors to the “Felsenbühne Rathen” can enjoy a variety of operas and musicals. The amazing outdoor theater is located in the heart of Saxon Switzerland National Park. The backdrop of massive rocks, trees, and the bare sky make for a unique experience after a hike along the Elbe river. The venue seats around 2,000 people, and the stage blends seamlessly into the natural stone background. 

It's no coincidence that this outdoor stage was established in this part of Germany. The region of Saxony Switzerland has inspired German composers, writers, and painters for decades, especially during the Romantic period. The stunning landscape with its steep valleys, rolling hills, and bizarre rock formations has been a consistent source of artistic inspiration.

Carl Maria von Weber’s opera, Der Freischütz was composed in this region and is touted as the most frequently played opus at Rathen. Usually, when the Saxon State Opera and State Orchestra perform, they are accompanied by riders on horseback and wind machines that make the experience that more memorable.

However, the outdoor theater has roots in Nazi propaganda. The Rathen was established in 1936 as part of the Thingspiele movement. This form of multi-disciplined outdoor performance was all the rage in Germany prior to the outbreak of World War II. It was seen as a way to revive an ancient German tradition, and the Nazi Party saw the movement as key in being able to better spread government propaganda. Large rallies and speeches could be held at the various amphitheaters. 

Nazi officials originally planned to construct about 400 similar theaters, but only about 40 were built before those plans were halted. It was found that Adolf Hitler was not fond of the plan, along with the issues presented by German weather. Instead of outdoor theater, the Propaganda Ministry focused on spreading and enforcing harmful Nazi ideology through other formats.

Related Tags

Theaters Nature Stone Nazis Propaganda

Know Before You Go

The open-air stage hosts over 90 performances from May through September each year. The stage can also be visited during the day without attending a show. Be aware, the town of Rathen can only be reached by ferry and visitors will have to walk a mile uphill in order to reach the stage, but there is support for people with reduced mobility. You can also reach it by following a trail from the Bastei bridge above, which is 20-30 mins hike.

Community Contributors

Added By

Vololona

Edited By

SilentCartographer, jonathancarey

  • SilentCartographer
  • jonathancarey

Published

October 28, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Rathen Open Air Stage
Meißner Str
Rathen, 01445
Germany
50.963502, 14.073591
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Bastei

Lohmen, Germany

miles away

Art Nouveau Elevator

Bad Schandau, Germany

miles away

Lichtenhain Waterfall

Kirnitzschtal, Germany

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Germany

Germany

Europe

Places 748
Stories 68

Nearby Places

The Bastei

Lohmen, Germany

miles away

Art Nouveau Elevator

Bad Schandau, Germany

miles away

Lichtenhain Waterfall

Kirnitzschtal, Germany

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Germany

Germany

Europe

Places 748
Stories 68

Related Places

  • Spakenes kystfort

    Rotsund, Norway

    Spåkenes Coastal Fort

    The gnarled remains of an exploded German bunker from World War II sit along a breathtaking fjord.

  • Pistol concealed inside a book, resistance fighters had to conceal weapons for operations

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

    The Resistance Museum

    A poignant museum dedicated to the history of the Dutch resistance against Nazi occupation

  • ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ - the entrance to camp in the Terezin fortress

    Terezín, Czechia

    Theresienstadt (Terezín Concentration Camp)

    Created as a "model concentration camp" to hide Nazi atrocities from the international community, this former camp-ghetto now holds a museum and memorial honoring the lives lost within.

  • Chee Dale Stepping Stones

    Buxton, England

    Chee Dale Stepping Stones

    These unique stepping stones hug a river's edge to take hikers on a journey through a limestone gorge.

  • The Scout Stone

    Dorset, England

    The Scout Stone

    This commemorative stone was erected near the first Scout campsite.

  • Admirers of the canyon come in all sizes and species.

    Guadalajara, Mexico

    Parque Mirador Independencia Amphitheater (Independence Lookout Park)

    This concrete amphitheater offers an unforgettable view of one of Mexico's most beautiful canyons.

  • Teatro Andromeda.

    Santo Stefano Quisquina, Italy

    Teatro Andromeda

    Gorgeous views of Italian mountains and valleys form the backdrop of this unique open-air theater.

  • Externsteine.

    Horn-Bad Meinberg, Germany

    Externsteine

    Between Neo-Pagans and Neo-Nazis, these strange rock formations have a curious cult following and a very strange history.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.