Exploring Germany's Königstein Fortress

Königstein Fortress - the famed mountaintop citadel in Germany's Saxon Switzerland. A rich history spanning 750 years makes the fortress and its impressive fortifications all the more spectacular. In all of those years, Königstein Fortress was never once occupied. A chimney sweep did however manage to scale its steep walls in 1848, but the undertaking was hardly a success. When he reached the top, the guards were ready and waiting for him, and he was sentenced to 12 days in prison. Indeed, the fortress was absolutely secure - water tight, in a manner of speaking. To ensure the guards weren't left high and dry, Augustus I, Elector of Saxony ordered a well to be built on the premises. It took six years for the well to reach its 152.5 meter depth.

In olden times, water was extracted using a device that ran on a human-operated treadwheel. This extremely strenuous procedure was later replaced by an electric motor. But even this method took 10 minutes to transport a single barrel of drinking water to the top, which then flowed into the fortress reservoir.

In the casemates, the fortress's former munitions bunker, gala dinners are regularly held in the grand style of centuries gone by. An actor playing the commander of the fortress walks his guests through the historic menu and, keeping true to character, plays practical jokes on them every now and again. Overall however, the food and event, seem to have done very well with the guests. Königstein Fortress, a place where 750 years of history can be explored and experienced first hand.