Königstein Fortress
In the heart of Saxon Switzerland, not far from Dresden, Königstein Fortress sits enthroned on a table mountain. Since it was first mentioned in 1241, the huge mountain fortress has had an eventful history: a monastery, hunting lodge, state prison, prisoner of war camp and youth detention center - it was once all of these things.
Today, it is a place where culture and nature merge in a unique way. Between mighty walls, historic buildings, extensive green spaces and breathtaking views, a multifaceted offer unfolds that takes visitors on an exciting journey through time. The fortress attracts around half a million visitors from all over the world every year.
Modern exhibitions and interactive stations on the fortress plateau bring the history of the site to life. The unique ensemble of buildings documents over 400 years of fortress architecture and combines impressive superlatives: the deepest well in Saxony at 152 meters (1569), the oldest preserved barracks in Germany (1590) and the first Saxon garrison church (1676).
The fortress offers a wealth of experiences: from exciting guided tours and hands-on activities to cultural events, gastronomic experiences and modern vacation apartments. History is not just told here, it is brought to life. Thanks to barrier-free lift access, the mountain fortress is easily accessible for everyone.
Last but not least, the "Malerweg" trail leads directly past the fortress - one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Germany, which has inspired artists for centuries and today delights nature and culture lovers alike.
Today, it is a place where culture and nature merge in a unique way. Between mighty walls, historic buildings, extensive green spaces and breathtaking views, a multifaceted offer unfolds that takes visitors on an exciting journey through time. The fortress attracts around half a million visitors from all over the world every year.
Modern exhibitions and interactive stations on the fortress plateau bring the history of the site to life. The unique ensemble of buildings documents over 400 years of fortress architecture and combines impressive superlatives: the deepest well in Saxony at 152 meters (1569), the oldest preserved barracks in Germany (1590) and the first Saxon garrison church (1676).
The fortress offers a wealth of experiences: from exciting guided tours and hands-on activities to cultural events, gastronomic experiences and modern vacation apartments. History is not just told here, it is brought to life. Thanks to barrier-free lift access, the mountain fortress is easily accessible for everyone.
Last but not least, the "Malerweg" trail leads directly past the fortress - one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Germany, which has inspired artists for centuries and today delights nature and culture lovers alike.
Good to know
Openings
- April – October: 9 a. m. – 6 p. m.
November – March: 9 a. m. – 5 p. m.
Closing time: 1 hour before closing time
1 January: 10 a. m. – 5 p. m.
24 December: closed
31 December: 9 a. m. – 3. 30 p. m. Price info
Price adult: €15.00
Price reduced: €12.00
Price family: €42.00
Senioren: €15.00
Vorteilspreis für Senioren 65+ am letzten Montag im Monat (Feiertage ausgenommen): €14.00
Kinder bis 6 Jahre: €0.00
Groups (from 15 persons): 10,00 €Information on reduced prices: - Pupils from 7 years old, students, apprentices - People with disabilities (degree of disability >50 on presentation of the relevant ID) - Leaving the Federal Voluntary Service (BFD), Voluntary Social Year (FSJ), Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ) - Holder of the Saxon honorary card - Recipients of unemployment benefit II with approval - Social assistance recipients with a social assistance notice not older than 12 months Seniors pay the full entrance fee Exceptions: 26. 04. + 11. 10. 2022 Senior citizens pay only 4 €. Children up to 6 years have free admission.General information
Parking Available
Bus stop available
Eligibility
Bad Weather Offer
Suitable for any weather
for Groups
for Class
for individual guests
Pet allowed
Payment methods
- American Express, Cash, Diners Club, Debit Card, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Accessibility
- Saxony Barrier-FreeInformation on accessibility / deviations from the pictograms:
- Accessible for guests with disabilities up to the ticket office (4 disabled parking spaces, blue EU ID required).
- Historic buildings: some uneven paths, inclines and quite steep ramps into the buildings; an accompanying person is recommended.
- Some exhibitions are accessible without steps.
- Wheelchair-accessible WCs with EURO key available at the fortress.
- A tour map for wheelchair users provides a better overview of paths that are difficult to navigate.
- Assistance dogs can be taken along free of charge.
- Touch model of the mountain fortress with explanations in Braille and relief writing.
- 17 stations of the blinFind digital guidance system for the blind
- Inductive hearing loops at the audio guide rental.
- Video guide in German sign language.
- Audio guide in simple language in German, English, Czech and Polish.
- Sensory bags for hire.
Parkingindicated disabled parking space available
Entrance to the facility / paths within the facilityDoor width min. 90 cm
Stepless access (max. 3 cm) or ramp
LiftDoor width min. 90 cm
Stepless access (max. 3 cm) or ramp
Floor area of lift min. 110x140 cm
Accessible toiletDoor width min. 90 cm
Stepless access (max. 3 cm) or ramp
Movement area in front of toilet bowl min. 150x150 cm
Area left or right of the toilet bowl min. 90 cm
Hinged hand rails at the side of the toilet bowl provided
Additional aids / offersAids / offers for blind and visually impaired persons
Additional aids / offersAids / offers for deaf and hearing-impaired persons
Additional aids / offersAids / offers for persons with learning and mental disabilities
Family vacation
- Königstein Fortress adventure - history for the whole family
Located just 35 km from Dresden and 247 m above the Elbe, the mountain fortress offers a magnificent panoramic view of Saxon Switzerland. Thick walls, mysterious corridors, cannons and towers tell the story of 400 years of fortress life.Lovingly staged worlds of figures, themed guided tours and audio guides bring past times to life and arouse curiosity about the lives of earlier generations. In the exhibitions and in the outdoor area, hands-on stations, audio offers and videos invite visitors to search, discover and try things out.
With family-friendly offers, gastronomy, a museum store, special places such as the well house with the deepest well in Saxony and a varied program of events, Königstein Fortress is a place of experience and learning that connects and inspires.
SPECIAL FEATURES- Free costumes to borrow, interactive games and discovery booklets for children in the fortress history exhibition
- VR glasses and 3D animation show Georgenburg as a Renaissance castle
- Exhibition texts and audio guides suitable for children
- Website with coloring pages and puzzles
Directions & Parking facilities
- S-Bahn
Line S1- Meissen – Dresden – Königstein – Schöna
From Königstein railway station to the fortress see below: FESTUNGSEXPRESS and HIKINGWEGE
Bus
241: Pirna – Hinterhermsdorf + 246: Pirna – Königstein | Stop Thürmsdorf Vogelstein/Festung | about 15 min walk to the fortress | Hiking and bicycle buses: www. ovps. de
Car
A 17: exit Pirna, continue on B 172 towards Bad Schandau or exit Bahretal, continue on K 8732 to Krietzschwitz, then B 172 towards Bad Schandau
Wheel steamer
Dresden – Königstein
Bad Schandau – Königstein
From the Königstein pier to the fortress see FESTUNGSEXPRESS and HIKINGWEGE
Bicycle
Bicycle racks and luggage lockers at the entrance to the fortress
Bicycle bus & Elbe cycle path
Parking facilities
Cars, motorcycles and caravans
Parking garage “Festung Königstein” at the B 172 (fortress branch), only 650 m walk to the fortress (open all year round, entrance and exit possible at any time)
Parking fees in the car park (30 minutes free)
up to 1 hours: 2,00 €; up to 4 hours: 7,00 €; day pass: 13,00 €
Parking fees Caravan parking (30 minutes free)
up to 4 hours: 14,00 €; day pass: 26,00 €
Motorcyclists (you can park free of charge. For a small fee, a locker can be used. )
Parking garage operator: KWE Königstein GmbH (Telephone: 035 021 99 541
www. kwe-koenigstein. de)
Coaches, disabled vehicles:
Parking directly at the fortress (barrier)
Parking fee for coaches: 10 €, parking fee for minibuses: 8 €
free of charge for disabled vehicles with ID (parking time: 4 hours)
Passenger lift: all year round
Panoramic lift: April to October
Fortress Express
Shuttles from April to October between the city of Königstein (timetable), the car park & the fortress.
Traffic restricted from November to March (only to the Christmas market on the four Advent weekends and holidays).
Operator: Frank Nuhn Freizeit & Tourismus e. K. (www. festungsexpress. de)
Hike to the fortress
from the town of Königstein via forest paths marked with a blue bar or a red dot (duration: 30 to 45 minutes) www. malerweg. de Social Media
Author
Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH
Bautzner Straße 45/4701099 DresdenOrganization
Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH
License (master data)
Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH
