the Fortress of Königstein (in German Festung Königstein ), the " Bastille of Saxony " , is a famous fortress located on a mountain near Dresden in Germany. Used during centuries as a prison of state, it is intact today and is the tourist attraction most popular of Saxony, with 700.000 visitors per annum.

It counted until in 1922 several famous prisoners:

• Johann Friedrich Böttger, the inventor of the European Porcelain
• the Anarchistic Russian Mikhaïl Aleksandrovitch Bakounine
• the founder of the social Democracy German, August Bebel
• the marshal Alphonse Juin
• the general Charles Mast

Königstein taken forever, even during the Second world war. However, the April 17th 1942, the General Henri Giraud succeeds in escaping from the castle.

During the First World War, the castle was used like camp for prisoners of war (Oflag) gathering primarily of the French and Russians. Same manner, it was used as Oflag for the Second world war for the prisoners Britanniques, French, Polish and other Alliés officers.

External bonds

• Königstein Fortress

Category: German prison