Station: [3] Access Ramp

You are now entering the access ramp to the upper castle courtyard. Its purpose is strikingly clear. Here, a height difference of about 25 meters had to be overcome—and not just any way, but with a gradient that was comfortable even for carriages and wagons. 

This structure was built by the Prussian fortress architect Moritz von Prittwitz. It is considered a masterpiece of 19th-century fortress architecture. 

As you follow the path upward, you’ll notice the unique shape of this access road. The structure consists of three overlapping ramps arranged in an elliptical pattern. It was precisely this design that made it possible to create a slope that was both gradual and practical. This is a very elegant solution to a very tangible problem. 

But this access road was not merely convenient; it was also fortified. It could be secured at multiple points by drawbridges and gates. Thus, the path to the top could not simply be traversed; it could be controlled, blocked, and protected. The access road complex thus combines practical utility with military security. 

As you continue upward, you’ll move through a part of the structure that impressively combines utility, security, and architectural artistry.