The Mönch or Mönchstein (Monk in English) is a rock formation in the Bastei, named centuries ago
by those who thought the shape of the rock resembled praying hands. A weather vane at the top of the
formation (shaped like a monk) was erected in 1887. The current weather vane replaced the original in
1957. The Bastei is a rock formation rising about 650 feet above the Elbe River (or about 1,000 feet
above sea level) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Rathen, Germany. The jagged rocks of the Bastei
were formed by water erosion over one million years ago. ago by those who thought the shape
of the rock resembled praying hands.Additional photos from The Bastei are in my Cities gallery.