Königstein Fortress

　　Königstein Fortress, commonly known as the "Bastille of Saxony," is a hilltop fortress situated in the Saxon Switzerland region of Germany, on the left bank of the Elbe River, near Dresden. It overlooks the town of Königstein. The earliest known record of Königstein Fortress dates back to 1233 and Bohemian King Wenceslaus I, making it one of the largest hilltop fortresses in Europe.

　　Perched atop a 9.5-hectare rocky plateau (also called Königstein), the fortress stands 240 meters above the Elbe River. It consists of over 50 structures, some of which are more than 400 years old, reflecting the military and civilian history of the site. The fortress is surrounded by sturdy walls stretching 1,800 meters in length, with sheer sandstone ramparts reaching up to 42 meters high to repel invaders. At the heart of the fortress lies a deep well, drilled down to 152.5 meters, which is the deepest in Saxony and the second deepest in Europe.

　　Originally serving as a state prison for centuries, Königstein Fortress has been well preserved and is now one of Saxony’s premier tourist attractions, drawing around 700,000 visitors each year.

　　Königstein Fortress Reason to visit: One of the largest hilltop fortresses in Europe Continent: Europe Country/Region: Germany Province/State: Free State of Saxony