Königshain: Palace Ensemble, Gardens and Trails on the Hochstein

The palace complex, palace park and Hochstein offer different highlights in Königshain: architectural history and garden design sit alongside routes through the Hochstein. When planning your stay, you can decide what to focus on based on whether you are most interested in the historic buildings, the garden areas or hiking trails.

Palace Ensemble and Architectural History

The Königshain palace complex brings together a Baroque palace, a Renaissance palace and the Steinstock in a compact ensemble representing several periods of local history. The Steinstock is considered the origin of the hunting lodge and the oldest Renaissance building in the surrounding area. The ensemble of the New Palace is also considered significant beyond the region. The buildings therefore offer several points of interest if you would like to learn about the history of the town.

Königshain Palace is used for weddings, changing exhibitions and music events. Check the dates in advance if an exhibition or event is important to your travel plans. The Königshain Renaissance palace is a partially restored moated castle and is currently unused.

Gardens and Granite

In the palace park, geometrically laid-out areas alternate with landscaped garden sections. Individual features include farm, herb and rhododendron gardens, monuments and a pergola. The contrasting design styles give you a specific point of focus as you explore the different parts of the gardens.

The Granite Quarrying Museum explains the journey of granite from extraction and processing to paving stone. It focuses on the sequence from quarrying to its use as paving material.

Hochstein: Landscape and Trails

The Hochstein section of the Laubwälder der Königshainer Berge FFH site includes woodland and former quarrying areas. Areas within Königshain are also part of this FFH site. The site’s described features therefore include both woodland and former mining areas.

The section of the Way of St. James from Görlitz via Weißenberg to Bautzen and the E10 section from Niesky to Löbau pass directly over the Hochstein. Bus 145 provides public transport access to the Steinbruchpfad area from Görlitz and Weißenberg. If you plan to travel this way, check the timetable before setting off.

Getting There and Parking

Königshain is right off the A4 between Bautzen and Görlitz. If you are travelling from Dresden, take the Niederseifersdorf exit. Day visitors can park at the palace, by the church, at the municipal administration building and in the parking areas at the Hochstein. As parking regulations may change, check them before you arrive.

Excursion Destinations Connected with Königshain

Excursion destinations connected with Königshain include the historic old towns of Görlitz, Bautzen and Zittau. This selection complements the themes of architectural history and landscape with three other historic city destinations, without requiring a particular route.

Discover more destinations: Bernstadt Auf Dem Eigen, Neusalza-Spremberg, Großhennersdorf, Hohendubrau, Trebendorf, Mücka, Herrnhut, Weißkeißel.

Go to the main travel overview: Görlitz.