Königstein Things to Do

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If you like you can with the Festung-Express to the high fortress. This train runs every 10 minutes from the parkingplace to the foot of the fortress. From the parkingplace, it is a solid 20-minute walk.
But how you go to the fort, it is most rewarding. It's nice take the glass elevator to go upstairs. This possibility is included in the entrance fee.
The fort has a great history, but this page has too little space to describe everything.
Go befor the history to Festung Königstein (the Englisch page).

For a short visual impression see my home made video Fortress Königstein.

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With an Oldtimmer double-decker from Königstein via Bad Schandau to the Bastei. A hour drive through a beautiful landscape to the parkingplace of the Bastei. From the parkingplace about 15 minutes walking or with a traditional horse and carriage to the beginning of the Bastei cliffs. The reward is a special rock bridge and some lovely views on the cliffs and rocks and impressive views over the valley of the Elbe river.
Note: of course, this trip is also possible with your own car.
Note: "OLDI" stands for Oldtimmer Double-decker.

See for a short impression my home made video The Bastei.

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You like romance aboard a historical paddle-steamer? Start a tour with the world's oldest steamship fleet through the fair and beautiful landscape along the river Elbe.
We followed this advice and with the historical paddle-steamer Pillnitz seals we from Königstein to Dresden. It's really a beautiful 3-hours boat trip and you arrives at the centre of Dresden ( see the video Dresden .) After a visit to Dresden, the return is not a problem, take the train.

For this boat trip impression see my video With a paddle-steamer from Königstein to Dresden .

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Situated 240 m above the river Elbe, Königstein is unlike all other Saxon castles and places. It has always been considered invincible. With an area of 9.5 hectares it is one of the largest fortresses in Germany, and the Wettins used it as a hideway for themselves and the art and state treasures in times of war. For more than 400 years of its history Königstein was primarily a military fortress. History is reflected in the architecture of its buildings, which show the influences of various epochs.

Special features: Well house with water pumps, old and new Arsenal, Treasure House, Georgenburg castle, Garrison church, Friedrichsburg with a "Toschlein-deck-dich" (table-set-yourself, in reference to a Grimm fairy tale: a small table that could be lowered to the kitchen directly under the dining area and then raised fully set), commander's apartment with period interior, stable, state prison.

Opening hours

April - September 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
October 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
November - March 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last admission: hour before closing time.
Fortress is open 7 days a week
Only closed on 24 December.
The Fortress closes at 3.30 p.m. on 31 December.

Entrance fees

Adults € 5.00
(10 % discount for groups of 20+ adults.)
Concessions € 3.00
Family ticket (parents and children up to the age of 16) € 12.00
Children up to the age of 16 in groups of 15+ € 2.00

Passenger and goods lift & panorama lift € 1.50 (both up and down)
(Disabled persons and families with prams can use the lifts free of charge.)
The new panorama lift is in operation from April to October daily.

Higher admission prices can apply during special events.
Special admission prices apply on the day of prayer and repentance, the 21. November 2007: Each visitor only pays € 2.00, and families € 5.00.

You can also see the commander's living rooms and offices. They are originally preserved.

In 2003 when I visited there was also an exhibition "Fortress Königstein - State Prison of Saxony". I don't know how long this will be shown, though. But it is very interesting - especially the story of the rise and fall of Saxony's chancellor Krell who was imprisoned here 1591 - 1601 (executed then).

Georgenburg is the oldest part of the fortress. It towers up above the entrance area on the northwestern edge of the plateau.

The (very few) oldest parts date from 13th century. From 1589 on it was again and again reconstructed. It got its final look in the 17th century.

Its history is very interesting: it was used as prison; 1705 - 07 Böttger did his chemical studies (he invented the European ("Meissen") porcelain later in Dresden) here; and it was home for the commander and his family.

Isn't this loggia on the pic beautiful? Reminds me of Italy!

One of the architectural highlights is the enchanting Friedrichsburg. 1589 - 91 Paul Buchner built an octagon-shaped small pavillon called Christiansburg. This pavillon was reconstructed in Baroque style in 1731. The now magnificent building was used for Royal parties.

After a visit of Prussian's prince Friedrich (later Friedrich the Great) it got his name.

Nowadays it is used for wedding ceremonies. How about you?

Altes Zeughaus was built 1594 by Paul Buchner for storage of all sorts of military material except powder. It has a beautiful Renaissance hall with Tuscan style pillars (similar to this of the Albertinum in Dresden) on the first floor. Nowadays it houses an interesting exhibition of the Military Museum Dresden.

After 1871 the upper floors were used as prison. One of the first prisoners was August Bebel (1874). In both World Wars prisoners from France and Russia were arrested here.