The conquest of Königstein Fortress

Coming from Königstein railway station or the car park, we first cross the busy B172 at the pedestrian crossing. From Reißiger Platz (bus stops) we walk past the Königstein town church. Behind the church, our ascent begins on the Harald Schurz Trail. The path is signposted with the "blue line" and "Malerweg" markings. After just a few metres on the old, sandstone-paved path, the view opens up to the Lilienstein opposite and the small town of Königstein. The route continues over a few steps through the forest until we reach the edge of a large meadow, from where we can catch a glimpse of the Pfaffenstein. Passing the Palmschänke (no longer in operation), the path soon widens. At a fork in the path, we decide to take the right-hand path ("blue line"; Malerweg) which leads to the mighty fortress wall. The patrol path (Patrouillenweg) begins directly under the fortress wall at the car park, which we follow in an anti-clockwise direction.

The patrol path was laid out in the 19th century. The sentries now had a close-up view of the wooded slope - this promised more security in the event of war, but also made it more difficult for prisoners of the fortress to escape.

The high, smoothly polished rock faces, the various towers and buildings that can be seen from below and the natural rock formations such as chimneys (Abratzky chimney), cracks and weathering are impressive. After about 1.5 km, we walk around the base of the fortress and climb the wide cobbled path through the mighty Medusa Gate, over the drawbridge and up the long, dark ramp ("Dark Apparaille") to the plateau of Königstein Fortress. There is so much to discover here that a guided tour or the hire of an audio guide is highly recommended!

Königstein Fortress is one of the largest mountain fortresses in Europe and is located on the table mountain of the same name above the village of Königstein. The 9.5-hectare rocky plateau rises 240 metres above the Elbe. Over 50 buildings, some of which are 400 years old, bear witness to military and civilian life at the fortress. The medieval castle belonged to the Kingdom of Bohemia. The first full name "Königstein" was given in the Upper Lusatian border charter of 1241, which Wenceslas I sealed "in lapide regis" (Latin: on the king's stone). The exhibition of the same name vividly depicts the history of Königstein Fortress. There are also many exciting exhibits for children to try out and touch. Numerous buildings and exhibitions can be visited, such as the Magdalenenburg castle, which housed Augustus the Strong's giant wine barrel in the 18th and 19th centuries. Particularly impressive is the second deepest castle fountain in Europe at 152.5 metres. You can experience a demonstration of water pumping in the well house.

We return down the same way or take the lift. Now we follow the Malerweg trail and the "red dot" markings in the direction of Königstein/ Thürmsdorf. We soon come to the Alte Festungsstraße. If you take this road to the right, you will be back in Königstein in just 15 minutes. However, we decide to follow the Alte Festungsstraße to the left (Malerweg). We soon reach a large meadow. If you look back, you have a wonderful view of the fortress and the Lilienstein. Continuing along the Malerweg, we cross under the B172 through a pedestrian tunnel, cross the road that leads to Struppen and reach the historic Kanonenweg (marked with a yellow line). Follow this downhill towards Königstein.

The Kanonenweg has existed since the 17th century. In order to be able to transport heavy goods such as cast-iron cannons up to the fortress, it was necessary to create a flatter ramp through the steep Elbe slope. The old paving can still be seen in the upper part.

From the Elbhäuserweg, which runs parallel to the railway, you have a good view of the Elbe. Now it is not far until you reach the starting point of the hike - Königstein.