The Bastei and Konigstein Fortress

There’s plenty to see in the nearby area.  This north-eastern area of Germany is known as “Saxon Switzerland” with its chocolate-box scenery.

The Bastei is a series of spectacular rock formations which tower 194m above the Elbe River which snakes its way through this area.  The jagged rocks have been a tourist attraction for over 200 years. There are well maintained walkways and bridges which give magnificent views over the river valley, nearby countryside and rock formations. The rocks were part of the defenses of the Neurathen Castle in the 16^th century.  Evidence can be seen of medieval settlement and as we followed the path we walked past stone catapult balls.  There were signs indicating the rooms that would have been there in medieval days.  We also saw a model reconstruction of the castle.  At the base of the rocks is a natural ampitheatre which is used for performances today.  The acoustics are so good that we could clearly hear music and talking from the theatre even though we were hundreds of metres away.

From the Bastei we drove on to nearby Konigstein to see the “Mountain Fortress of Saxon Switzerland”.  We could see the fortress across the River Elbe from the Bastei.  Although geographically close it was about a 1 hour drive through narrow twisting mountain roads and river crossings are far apart.  We parked the car and bought tickets to ride up to the entrance elevator on the tourist train.  Once at the entrance we bought our entry tickets and walked through a short tunnel to the large elevator to the top of the table mountain there the fortress is located.  There is a “panoramic lift” being built which will provide spectacular views through its glass walls as patrons ride up the outside sheer rock on its completion.  Apart from the lifts, the only entrance to the fortress is via the western side of the mountain.

The fortress has had a long history in both peace and war times.  It was used as a castle 400 years ago and guests have included Tsar Peter I and Napoleon.  During World War II it was used as a prisoner of war camp for allied officers.  It’s superb defences meant that it has never been captured and there were only a handful of escapes and unauthorized entries – notably Abratzky’s Chimney which is a rock fissure from which a chimney sweep’s apprentice Sebastian Abatzky made an unauthorized entry in 1848, and the descent place of French General Henri Giraud a POW who escaped in 1942.  The flat top of the mountain has been reinforced with palisades and watchtowers.  The 9.5ha plateau has many buildings, exhibitions and parks.  The walkway around the perimeter provides panoramic views of the countryside.  There are some signs and photos showing the flooding of the River Elbe in 2002 when the town of Konigstein was under several meters of water and thousands of residents were evacuated in a very short time.  This is a place which would take several days to see all of the buildings and exhibits.  We spent several hours exploring and then caught the lift and train back to the carpark for our drive back to Barenfels.