Dresden and Königstein – a fortress built by giants

It is impossible to imagine places more impregnable than Koenigstein. This is where the cohesive forces of Nature and Man cooperated hand to hand.

The monumental rock massif organically passes into the powerful jagged walls of the fortress. The space between the rocks is filled with huge bricks carved out of stone. Which creates a sense of monolithicity and inaccessibility. More than understandable feelings of the soldiers approaching this fortress. As they opened their mouths, they looked up at the imposing bastion and they probably thought, "Aha." Look for fools! Conquer such a citadel yourself.

The fact is that the fortress is at an altitude of 50 meters. No, not like that! Imagine standing in front of a 12-story skyscraper. And on the roof of this high-rise is a fortress. What's it like? The spirit is breathtaking at the sight of huge arches at high altitude. For the Titans, what size were they built? What power did the “builder” have to have to create this abode so easily from unbearable boulders? Maybe people couldn't have built this. It seems that these giants, playing with cubes, built this impressive structure for their soldiers, who lived in this fortress, served and looked down with horror from the top.

Bending rock, waves, crashing into the sky. And on each "crest of the wave" stands a narrow tower - an observation wing. The poor guards who had to keep watch in this creepy, wind-washed place! Cold and scary. But responsibilities come first. A soldier should not show his fear. Therefore, they carried their watch, served, guarded the royal jewels. What is it? Even their wives and children lived at this height. Officers at balls danced in the palace over the abyss, in the local casino walked, from the windows of which they looked at the villages lying under the mountain. They were “other” people who lived in the sky. Breathing the wind of freedom. Whilst winged like birds, they gazed at the world under their feet from the roof of Europe.

We'll take the elevator upstairs. We will walk along the perimeter of the fortress, from where unimaginable views of the nature of the Czech Republic and Germany open. Let us look at the watchtowers and at the huge cannons, at the palace over the abyss and the casemates, the cellar for storing wine and beer - the most expensive for soldiers). We will see the deepest well of Saxony - 153 meters deep! Imagine if you pour water into a well, it will reach the surface in 16 seconds! You never cease to be amazed at everything you see around you in Koenigstein. Do you think that there is something here that can cause more delight than a view from a 250-meter height, a palace over a precipice, an incredibly deep well? Yes, there is. With each step, the spirit takes more and more. There is a sense of unreality of what is happening. Am I here and seeing all this?

I am voting with all my hands for it! 6 out of a possible 5.

And on the way back, we'll stop at Dresden.