Special exhibition 2022

From the Carrot Bed to the Fortress Wood –

Multi-faceted Fortress Green at Königstein Hill

1 April to 31 October 2023, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Magdalene’s Castle, 2nd floor

This is the first exhibition dedicated to the horticultural and agricultural use of the fortress’s free spaces, but also to the vegetation grown for military purposes. It also reveals places the fortress inhabitants used to retreat to, to get away from the daily hustle and bustle.

Königstein Hill has been inhabited by humans for centuries. They created the plateau and the surroundings of the impressive table hill according to their needs. In 1589, they began to convert the medieval castle into a fortress. It remained fortified until 1913. The main interests of the inhabitants who lived here independently to a great extent for centuries, were self-sufficiency with food, defence of the militarily important location, and embellishing this significant site.

Garden historian Dr. Stefanie Krihning from Dresden has intensively researched this topic for a year and, thus, made some astounding discoveries about ornamental and vegetable gardens, fortress gardeners, goats and chickens, flower thefts, squares dedicated to kings, the fortress wood, and the former vineyard. Some of the trees and shrubs that had been considered wild plants turned out to be a natural disguise of cannons or fortress walls.

The exhibition that takes place at Magdalene’s Castle as well as outside on the fortress grounds, reminds us of vanished places and shows pictures, plans, and objects such as rare historic gardening tools.
Substantial media stations and diverse hands-on activities for children offer in-depth information and variety for visitors of all ages.

It is especially exciting to learn about the favourite places of different fortress inhabitants. You may discover them yourself on your walk around the plateau!