The Napoleonschanze is a testimony to the Napoleonic Wars of Liberation from 1813-1815.
The Napoleon redoubt is located on the Schanzberg, south-east of Hohnstein. In 1813, after his defeat in the Russian campaign, Napoleon had important transport routes to Bohemia militarily secured. Several field fortifications were built, including the Napoleonschanze with three gun emplacements.
The complex was built by the local population. In the region, there were battles between Upper Lusatia and Saxon Switzerland that resulted in heavy losses. The military turning point finally came with the Battle of Leipzig, in which Napoleon was finally defeated in the fall of 1813.
Today, the Napoleon Redoubt offers a sweeping view of the surrounding countryside. To the northwest lies the Hohnsteiner Hügelland. Two rest areas and an information board commemorate the events of that time. A fireplace invites you to linger at the end of the hike.
