Königstein Fortress

The fortress occupies a flat sandstone tableland two hundred and forty metres above the Elbe with vertical cliffs on all sides, and its defences were never breached in its history. Its well, sunk between 1563 and 1569, is a hundred and fifty-two and a half metres deep through solid rock, the deepest in Saxony, worked by a treadwheel; a demonstration pours water down it. The site covers about nine and a half hectares with more than fifty buildings from four centuries, including barracks, a garrison church and cisterns. It served as a state prison for long periods. The plateau walk round the ramparts gives views over the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

What you actually see

• The 152-metre well - a shaft through solid rock with a treadwheel.
• The tableland site - nine and a half hectares on a cliff-edged plateau.
• The rampart walk - a circuit with views over the Elbe and the sandstone hills.
• The fifty buildings - barracks, church and stores from four centuries.

When to go

April to October; the fortress opens year-round with shorter winter hours. The climb from the town is steep, with a shuttle bus and a lift as alternatives.

Honest expectations

The approach is a steep climb unless you use the paid shuttle and lift. The site is large and exposed. Winter closes some buildings.

Nearby

The Bastei lies downstream; the Czech border is south.