Hunger tower

...is the name of this lovely tower. Noone knows exactly why, but who
really cares when it is so photogenic?

It pays to be a king...

The building on top of this staircase did not only enjoy these
magnificent views, but was also fitted with tables that could be
pulled to the ceiling and lowered when the need for some lavish
sustenance arose. Great success with the Prussian king Friedrich I,
who had two of these tables copied for his Prussian castle.

Still touring...still smiling

Despite wind and weather, we took in the stunning scenery and the
audiotour factoids for a few hours...but after having covered the
historical grounds, we skipped a little of the military history.

(the attachment! Girlwonder bad for deleting from previous post!)

Chapel, movie theater or gym?

This beautifully painted church ceiling was wittness of its main floor
being turned into a movie theater (for which the organ had to be
ripped out of the back wall) and a gym for wayward boys after WWII...
Welcome to the GDR.

Is the world ready for the KNORK?!

Getting a little sustenance in form of a poppy seed cake, we met the
knork. Half knife, half fork this specimen is a close cousin of the
spork.

Second largest historical well in Europe

152 meters, about 500 feet, deep, this well was built from 1563-69 and
has been the sole source of water for everyone living on the grounds
until 1967.

To put the depth in perspective, the tour guide dumped a pail of water
back down the well, and it was a full 17 second count before it hit
the bottom! For you SF kids, the GG bridge is in the 300' range. Woah.

Stunning views from the fortress

Never conquered, never under siege

The intricate system of gates, tar and oil contraptions, bombs and
bridges made Koenigstein the refuge for many regimes and their loot:
polish and Saxonian kings, Napoleon, the Nazis (for American POWs) and
Soviets (as a war hospital).

Second gate: Medusa's head

Out of the seven gates separating the fortress from the world, this
one is the most symbolic and prettiest one. According to the Greek
mythology, Medusa (who can be recognized by the serpents instead of
hair on her head) turns everyone to stone she looks at...we both felt
a little stiff, but decided to blame it on the Siberian temperatures.

Summer? 46 degrees Fahrenheit and winds from the East

The weather was kind of appropriate in this foreboding fortress
environment

Touring the Koenigstein Fortress

After a fortifying Saxonian breakfast, including Robin's favorite:
liverwurst, we were ready to visit yet another castle with our friend,
the British-sounding audio guide.

Konigstein castle off in the distance

Still driving through the park, we caught a glimpse if the Konigstein
castle off in the distance... We'll be visiting there tomorrow. It is
on the other side of the Elbe river, and we will have to drive back
down to town, cross the river, then around to the castle on the other
side.