existence of the old watchtower. In 1878, during the ascent at that time, a broken medieval clay pot was discovered. In 1892, while descending the Turnerweg after the first ascent of the Schusterweg, Oscar Schuster and Martin Klimmer discovered artificial steps under the vegetation that had been part of the ascent to the watchtower. In 1940, Dresden architect and local historian, Oskar Pusch, carried out a major investigation of the fortification at Falkenstein. Based on the results, he created a graphic reconstruction of the watchtower. He also discovered traces of fire debris, which indicate that the watchtower had been destroyed in fighting. In 1964 and 1989, festival weeks were held to mark the anniversary of the first ascent. In 1989, a rope team climbed the Turnerweg without using today's climbing shoes and ropes, wearing clothing and equipment based on the first climbers of the time. Climbing today The peak of the Falkenstein can only be reached by skilled climbers. Nowadays more than 100 routes lead to the top. The most popular ascent is Schusterweg (III), which was first climbed by in 1893. Other notable climbs on the 'Falkenstein' (with their Saxon rating grades) are the: Südriss (VIIa) – first ascent by Oliver Perry-Smith in 1913 Direkte Westkante (VIIIb) – first ascent by Wulf Scheffler in 1956 Buntschillernde Seifenblase (IXb) – first ascent by Bernd Arnold References Sources Der Falkenstein, Aus der Geschichte eines Kletterfelsens in der Sächsischen Schweiz, Neisse Verlag 2001, External links Description of the Schusterweg trail on the Falkenstein Climbing areas of Germany Elbe Sandstone Mountains Mountains of Saxon Switzerland Rock formations of Saxon Switzerland Bad Schandau