Was Königstein Fortress ever captured?

No, the fortress was never taken by force throughout its history.

What is the most notable feature of the site?

The well bored into the rock, over 150 metres deep, is among the most striking features, along with the many historic buildings preserved on the plateau.

How old is the fortress?

An earlier stronghold is documented as far back as 1233, but the fortress as it stands largely dates from work carried out from 1589 under Elector Christian I.

Where is Königstein Fortress located?

It is located in Königstein, in the Landkreis Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge, in Saxony.

Königstein Fortress

Königstein

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Tickets and prices

Free for Accompagnateur d'une personne en situation de handicap avec mention « B » ; chiens d'assistance

Prices and tickets on the château’s website

Prices checked at the source on October 25, 2026

Where: Königstein

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

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Festung Königstein stands in Königstein (Landkreis Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge), in Saxony, Germany. The building is a listed Baudenkmal. Its opening hours and prices were verified at the source on October 25, 2026.

Königstein Fortress sits on an isolated rock plateau above the Elbe, in the Saxon Switzerland region. Built upon a medieval stronghold first recorded in 1233, it was turned from 1589 into Saxony's strongest fortification under Elector Christian I. More than fifty buildings survive on the site, some of them four centuries old, along with a well over 150 metres deep bored straight into the rock. Never taken by force in its history, the fortress served over the centuries as a garrison, a state prison and a refuge for state treasures.

Written from Königstein Fortress

What to know

The site covers a 9.5-hectare rock plateau, reached on foot via an ascent from the town of Königstein.
The visit takes in more than fifty historic buildings spread across the plateau, meaning a fair amount of outdoor walking.
A well over 150 metres deep, among the deepest in Europe, is one of the features on site.
The fortress is listed as a Kulturdenkmal in Saxony.
No opening hours, prices or accessibility details are given here, so these are worth checking beforehand.

Practical information

Opening hours

April - October: 9h00-18h00
November - March: 9h00-17h00

Prices

Free for Accompagnateur d'une personne en situation de handicap avec mention « B » ; chiens d'assistance

Visit duration: Not verified
Wheelchair access: Not verified
Dogs: Not verified
Parking: Parking gratuit à l'entrée de la forteresse pour les personnes avec carte de stationnement européenne bleue

Accès par ascenseur, la plupart des expositions sont accessibles sans marches, toilettes adaptées, chemin signalé pour les non praticables en fauteuil, modèle tactile en braille

On site

Toilets
Food and drink
Gift shop

Where this château is

Königstein · Landkreis Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge · Sachsen

Map of the area around Festung Königstein

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Königstein, Landkreis Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Kulturdenkmal in Sachsen

In pictures

Frequently asked

Königstein Fortress: how much is admission?: Free for: accompagnateur d'une personne en situation de handicap avec mention « B » ; chiens d'assistance.
Was Königstein Fortress ever captured?: No, the fortress was never taken by force throughout its history.
What is the most notable feature of the site?: The well bored into the rock, over 150 metres deep, is among the most striking features, along with the many historic buildings preserved on the plateau.
How old is the fortress?: An earlier stronghold is documented as far back as 1233, but the fortress as it stands largely dates from work carried out from 1589 under Elector Christian I.
Where is Königstein Fortress located?: It is located in Königstein, in the Landkreis Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge, in Saxony.

Information verified on October 25, 2026 · Hours and prices: see the official website