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Place of European history of democracy, Königstein fortress in the Taunus.

Place of European history of democracy.
The prison of the first democrats. In spring 1793, the "Republic of the Rheinish-German National Convention" existed in what is now Rheinhessen. Founded under French occupation and ready after a few months, mainly liquidated by the Prussian military.
Many of the then active democrats were gradually interned at the Königstein fortress in the Taunus from spring 1793 until the beginning of 1795. The Königstein Fortress and its special history in 1792 thus became the "prison of the first democrats"

http://www.koenigstein-burg.de/rundgaenge/

Königstein fortress, the prison of the first democrats. Place of European history of democracy.

Königstein fortress, the prison of the first democrats. Place of European history of democracy.

Königstein fortress seen from the south. In the foreground the so-called Pointed bastion, where the road from the nearby 
town of Königstein comes up, After the road turns right, it reaches the lower gate.

Königstein fortress seen from the south. In the foreground the so-called Pointed bastion, where the road from the nearby
town of Königstein comes up, After the road turns right, it reaches the lower gate.

The lower gate, which leads through a flank of half the so-called Pointed bastion.

The lower gate, which leads through a flank of half the so-called Pointed bastion.

Königstein fortress seen from the north.

Königstein fortress seen from the north.

Seen from the north, on the right the new bastion, on the left behind the moat the powder tower and in 
between the infantry and cavalry barracks. The castle, which was founded in the Middle Ages, 
stands at the top.

Seen from the north, on the right the new bastion, on the left behind the moat the powder tower and in
between the infantry and cavalry barracks. The castle, which was founded in the Middle Ages,
stands at the top.

Roundels from the 16th century as well as a side tower cover the main gate, which is covered by a wall with 
notches towards the valley. Below is an apple plantation in full bloom.

Roundels from the 16th century as well as a side tower cover the main gate, which is covered by a wall with
notches towards the valley. Below is an apple plantation in full bloom.

Castle courtyard with arcades.

Castle courtyard with arcades.

A barracks has been built to the north below the castle. On the right a building for wagons and weapons (cannons)
as well as ammunition, at the right angle the infantry barracks and at the apex in between the powder tower in
 front of it.

A barracks has been built to the north below the castle. On the right a building for wagons and weapons (cannons)
as well as ammunition, at the right angle the infantry barracks and at the apex in between the powder tower in
front of it.

The building for wagons and weapons (cannons) as well as the ammunition, followed by the powder tower at the right 
angle, the infantry and cavalry barracks. Seen from the forge across the parade ground.

The building for wagons and weapons (cannons) as well as the ammunition, followed by the powder tower at the right
angle, the infantry and cavalry barracks. Seen from the forge across the parade ground.

The Prussians began bombarding the fortress at 3 a.m. on the night of December 7th. With their ten-pound mortars 
and howitzers they couldn't do much against the walls, so the French only occasionally had to respond with their own cannon shots.

The Prussians began bombarding the fortress at 3 a.m. on the night of December 7th. With their ten-pound mortars
and howitzers they couldn't do much against the walls, so the French only occasionally had to respond with their own cannon shots.

Stocked with new ammunition, the fortress was fired again on December 8th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The French
 commandant let the gunfire return, and the town of Königstein caught fire.

Stocked with new ammunition, the fortress was fired again on December 8th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The French
commandant let the gunfire return, and the town of Königstein caught fire.

Destruction in the city of Königstein after the bombardment by the Prussian artillery on December 7th and 8th, 
1792. In the right foreground the burning Capuchin monastery.
The ruins of the barracks and the castle hall still smoke on the fortress.

Destruction in the city of Königstein after the bombardment by the Prussian artillery on December 7th and 8th,
1792. In the right foreground the burning Capuchin monastery.
The ruins of the barracks and the castle hall still smoke on the fortress.

Destruction of the Königstein fortress after the bombardment by the Prussian artillery on December 7th and 8th, 
1792. Destruction of the barracks buildings, infantry barracks and gun / ammunition stores. Repair work in the spring of 1793.

Destruction of the Königstein fortress after the bombardment by the Prussian artillery on December 7th and 8th,
1792. Destruction of the barracks buildings, infantry barracks and gun / ammunition stores. Repair work in the spring of 1793.

Destruction of the Königstein fortress after the bombardment by the Prussian artillery on December 7th and 8th, 
1792. Destruction of the hall of the palace complex. Seen in the spring of 1793.

Destruction of the Königstein fortress after the bombardment by the Prussian artillery on December 7th and 8th,
1792. Destruction of the hall of the palace complex. Seen in the spring of 1793.

Castle wing with the barred prison cells.

Castle wing with the barred prison cells.

At night, on December 19, 1793, between five and six o'clock in the evening, eight men allegedly escape from the 
window of their room on the second floor in the "north-facing corner tower" with the help of a rope that was previously tied in a straw sack.

At night, on December 19, 1793, between five and six o'clock in the evening, eight men allegedly escape from the
window of their room on the second floor in the "north-facing corner tower" with the help of a rope that was previously tied in a straw sack.