SAXON SWITZERLAND
Excursions & Leisure
Following a good night’s sleep and a sumptuous breakfast, Königstein and the surrounding areas provide plentiful ways to spend the day experiencing all that the area has to offer. Here are a few options in the vicinity of the hotel. Whether you’re looking for cultural, outdoor activities or relaxation, there’s something for everyone.
SAXON SWITZERLAND
Königstein Fortress
Königstein Fortress, the “Saxon Bastille”, is a hilltop fortress near Dresden, in Saxon Switzerland, Germany, above the town of Königstein on the left bank of the River Elbe. It is one of the largest hilltop fortifications in Europe and sits atop the table hill of the same name.
The 9.5 hectare rock plateau rises 240 meters above the Elbe and has over 50 buildings, some over 400 years old, that bear witness to the military and civilian life in the fortress.
SAXON SWITZERLAND
Saxon Paddle Steamer Fleet on the Elbe river
Come aboard the worldwide unique fleet of “Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt”. With a fleet of nine historic paddle steamers, between 81 and 131 years old, the Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt operates the largest and oldest fleet of historic paddle steamers in the world.
This unique fleet is completed by two elegant salon ships and two small cruisers. Enjoy the unique nostalgic charm of the paddle steamers with the paddle wheels making a rushing noise and the steam engines huffing.
SAXON SWITZERLAND
Lilienstein mountain
Lilienstein is a highly distinctive mountain in Saxon Switzerland, in Saxony, southeastern Germany, and was once the site of a Bohemian castle. It is one of the few table mountains on the east of the river Elbe and constitutes the symbol of the Saxon Switzerland National Park.
SAXON SWITZERLAND
Bastei
The Bastei is a rock formation towering 194 metres above the Elbe River in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains of Germany. Reaching a height of 305 metres above sea level, the jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago. They are situated near Rathen, not far from Pirna southeast of the city of Dresden, and are the major landmark of the Saxon Switzerland National Park. They are also part of a climbing and hiking area that extends over the borders into the Bohemian Switzerland (Czech Republic).
SAXON SWITZERLAND
Stolpen Fortress
The medieval Stolpen fortress originated as a local rule castle, probably in the 12th century. Visible from far away this hilltop castle rises high over the country. In addition to its military function and the seat of the official administration over the Stolpen country it became a magnificent residence. Towards the middle of the 16th century it turned into a fortified castle and in the second half of the 17th century it expanded to the Saxon State Fortress.