Every year, lots of tourists from all over the world visit the German Saxon Switzerland National Park. What attracts modern travelers to the picturesque German lands? Some people come to the national park to see the bizarre shape of the giant Elbe sandstone cliffs. Some want to hear the enchanting sounds of the artificial Lichtenhain Waterfall. Others can't wait to explore the green paths, searching for some of the numerous famous medieval fortresses.

One of the most outstanding citadels in Saxon Switzerland is the ancient mountain fortress called Konigstein. It is located just a few kilometers from the city of Dresden on a rocky plateau above the picturesque Elbe River. The first written mention of the ancient German fortress dates back to the 13th century. Then these lands belonged to the Czech Kingdom. No wonder the fortress was mentioned in the charter of the Czech King Wenceslaus I.

The great citadel passed to medieval Germany only at the beginning of the 15th century during the reign of George the Bearded. Throughout its history, the fortress was constantly rebuilt and was considered the most expensive and impregnable fortification in Saxony. With an area of ​​almost 10 hectares, Konigstein Fortress was a whole town with the rising John George Bastion. It had been even visited by Emperor Peter I the Great of Russia, who later often recalled the greatness of the fortress in his travel notes.

For many years, the fortress served as the official residence of many Saxon electors. In the First World War, the impregnable citadel was a pow camp. In the Second World War, it hid the artworks of the Dresden art gallery.

Today, Konigstein Fortress is a huge open-air museum. It comprises a military history museum, a traditional German restaurant with a stunning panoramic view of the park and the fortress's surroundings, and a small souvenir shop.