Big baroque and wine festival at Königstein Fortress

Celebrate the 300th anniversary
of the Königstein giant wine barrel with us!

In 2025, Königstein Fortress is celebrating a special anniversary!

In 1725, the largest wine barrel in the world at the time was inaugurated here in the presence of Augustus the Strong. Reason enough to send visitors on a journey through time!

The anniversary guests of 2025 will get a glimpse of the Baroque splendour 300 years after the original spectacle and can look forward to a magnificent show: the royal court will come to life once more, and the famous barrel will be revived in a modern form. The celebration will last two days, following the historical model – with dining, fighting, singing, and dancing. Visitors are invited to take an active part and will find themselves right in the middle of the action.

In 1725 on the King's stone...

The construction of the giant wine barrel had begun two years earlier in the cellar of Magdalenenburg Castle, which is carved deep into the rock of the Königstein.  The patron, Augustus the Strong, took the opportunity to attend the inauguration party himself with a large entourage. Such a distinguished visit was a logistical challenge. The equipment – party tents and furniture, food and drink – was brought along. The court orchestra played and court jesters entertained the guests.

Program overview

30th/31st August - Saturday & Sunday

11:00 a.m.

Welcoming of the procession

Parade ground

 

Salute shooting of the Strong Augusta

Gate house

11:30 a.m.

Inauguration of the giant wine barrel (replica)

Magdalene's castle

 

Myths and magical worlds - dance performance

Parade ground

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Feast of the court with dance and performances

Parade ground

12:00 - 12:30 p.m

Historical fencing performances

Frederick's castle

1:00 a.m.

Baroque organ sounds

Garrison church

1:30 p.m.

How to speak with a fan?

stage at Parade ground (fortress plan no. 22)

1:30 p.m.

Myths and magical worlds - dance performance

Magdalene's castle

1:45 p.m.

A Fashion Journey Through the Centuries

Parade ground

1:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Courtly ladies and gentlemen stroll
across the fortress plateau

 

2:00 p.m.

Baroque organ sounds

Garrison church

2:00 p.m.

Courtly dances to join in

Frederick's castle

2:30 p.m.

The Saxon court inspects the cannons

Gate house

3:00 p.m.

Baroque organ sounds

Garrison church

3:00 p.m.

Show weighing with the scales of Augustus the Strong

New Armoury

3:30 p.m.

Courtly dances to join in

Frederick's castle

3:30 p.m.

Court gossip with Countess Cosel

stage at Parade ground (fortress plan no. 22)

3:30 p.m.

A Fashion Journey Through the Centuries

Parade ground

3:45 p.m.

Augustus the Strong visits the Garrison church

Garrison church

4:00 p.m.

Baroque organ sounds

Garrison church

4:15 p.m.

How to speak with a fan?

stage at Parade ground (fortress plan no. 22)

4:30 p.m.

Myths and magical worlds - dance performance

Parade ground

4:30 p.m.

Saxons and Prussians chat from history

Frederick's castle

Festung Königstein gGmbH
01824 Königstein

Phone: +49 (0)35021 64 607
info@festung-koenigstein.de

Opening hours

April - October 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
November - March 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Last admission 1 hour before closing time