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Castles

Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountains

Saxon Switzerland

Main Gate of Königstein Fortress

Castles

Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountains

Saxon Switzerland

Main Gate of Königstein Fortress

Highlight • Castle

Main Gate of Königstein Fortress

Recommended by 265 hikers out of 272

This Highlight is in a protected area

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Sächsische Schweiz

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Location: Saxon Switzerland, Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountains, Saxony, Germany

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Best Hikes to Main Gate of Königstein Fortress

4.8

(492)

1,841

hikers

1. Eye of a needle – Pfaffenstein loop from Oberrathen

24.3km

07:21

710m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

4.8

(227)

917

hikers

2. Rauenstein Ridge Trail – View of the Bastei loop from Stadt Wehlen (Sachs)

19.0km

05:32

490m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

4.8

(126)

457

hikers

3. Lilienstein Gorge Bridge – View of Königstein Fortress loop from Kurort Rathen

18.1km

05:43

590m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

Tips

Stephan N

November 2, 2024

The only access to the Königstein Fortress is secured by four gates:
Rothe Brücke, Torravelin, Medusentor and the gatehouse.

The Rothe Brücke building from 1792.
Named after the brickwork; first defensive structure on the way to the fortress; built in 1792 as a simple wooden bridge (was demolished in the event of war); from 1886 a seesaw bridge that can still be folded up in seconds today

The Torravelin building from 1729-36
Built in 1729-36; casemated gatework to defend the entrance; location of the gate guard

The Grabenschere building from 1733 with the Medusentor.
The building served as a third barrier to protect the entrance. The name "Grabenschere" refers to the scissor-like shape. The mighty gate is impressive. It is called "Medusentor" after the Medusa's head depicted in the keystone. The Medusa on the gate was used to deter enemies. A coat of arms of the Elector of Saxony and the Royal Polish crowns the gate. It dates from the time when the Saxon Electors were also Kings of Poland (1697 – 1706 and 1709 – 1763).

The gatehouse building from 1589

Built above the Dark Appareille (French for ramp; entrance to the plateau); cellar with loopholes for defense; upper floors used for residential purposes; defense systems in the Dark Appareille: wooden gate, stone thrower, machicolation, beam folds, drop palisade, iron gate and caponnière passage (defensive passage).

It was built at the end of the 16th century above a natural crevice in the rock. The only way to the fortress plateau leads under the gatehouse and is called the "Dark Appareille". The relief of Augustus the Strong (1670-1733) was created by the Königstein-born sculptor Otto Panzner in 1910.

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Michael

January 13, 2025

A gigantic fortress, with very large dimensions. Imposing outer walls surround the 9.5 hectare rock plateau. I was amazed by this appearance and the view of the surrounding Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Otherwise, Stephan has already described everything.

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JR on Tour

February 12, 2025

A beautiful, very well preserved fortress. The view of it sitting on the rock above the Elbe is simply magnificent.

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Elevation 350 m

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Location: Saxon Switzerland, Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountains, Saxony, Germany

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View of Pfaffenstein

Main Gate of Königstein Fortress

1. Eye of a needle – Pfaffenstein loop from Oberrathen

2. Rauenstein Ridge Trail – View of the Bastei loop from Stadt Wehlen (Sachs)

3. Lilienstein Gorge Bridge – View of Königstein Fortress loop from Kurort Rathen

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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