Koenigstein fortress

On a high cliff above the Elbe there is a plateau with an area of 9.5 hectares. Since 1233 this place was used to create one of the most unusual fortresses. Perhaps this is the biggest European fortress located on a hill. It was used for centuries as a prison, also during both world wars, and became a museum only in 1955. From 1991 to 2010 46 million euros was invested in the reconstruction of the fortress.


When you arrive by train at Konigstein, the fortress is visible on the top of the mountain.


Top can be reached by tourist bus, which runs from 10 am, or by local bus from the stop Reissiger platz, Konigstein to Am Mittelweg (then to the tunnel under the road and 15 minutes walk up), find the schedule on bahn.de. At the moment you walk through the woods, but if we look at the picture of Canaletto (1756-1758), we see bare slopes, what is logical from the defensive point of view.


If you decide to go upstairs by foot it will take at least 45 minutes.




Walls of the fortress can be reached in two ways: on foot or by lift, which is located inside the rock. Lift is near the parking lot and the main entrance is on the other side of the fortress. The best way is to go up by lift and go down through the main entrance.


There are museums and restaurants on the territory, but the most interesting is a walk along the walls around the fortress, it will take about an hour.












Purpose of this tower is unknown


Along the way, you can eat traditional German food


Local lemonade reminds that we are in eastern Germany


There is also a castle with museum




And even real forest


In the middle of the fortress is the second deepest well in Europe (152.5 m).


Getting there: Train S1 from Dresden to Konigstein (Saechs Schw). Further upward either on foot or on the tour bus or the local bus stop Reissiger platz, Konigstein to Am Mittelweg, find schedule here bahn.de.