Discover Kronach: Fortress, Old Town and Culinary Delights

Kronach combines historic architecture with guided tours, archaeological evidence, park art and culinary walks. The different offerings each give your stay its own focus.

Rosenberg Fortress and the Upper Town

Rosenberg Fortress rises steeply above Kronach’s Old Town. It was initially a Bamberg prince-bishop’s castle and later a state fortress. Its military architecture combines elements from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque. Those interested in architectural history will find several periods in one place. The underground passage system can be visited as part of guided fortress tours.

Between May and August, the Rosenberg Festival presents open-air theatre at the fortress. The annual programme varies; if you would like to combine your trip with a performance, check the current dates. The “Upper Town” city tour also has its own seasonal schedule. It starts at the Lucas Cranach monument in the Market Square. Participants see ramparts and towers, cellars, wells and small alleyways. Check the latest visitor information before your arrival.

The Upper Town is a historic Old Town with a late medieval character and a completely preserved town wall. The Gothic parish church of St. John is located here. There is a church portal on its north side; the figure of St. John there is a work by an unknown master, dated to 1498. The city tour and the view of the church offer different perspectives: one focuses on the Old Town’s routes and architectural features, the other on a specific work of art.

Archaeology and City History

The Late Bronze Age Heunischenburg is located in Kronach-Gehülz. It is considered the oldest scientifically researched stone fortress in Europe north of the Alps. A section of wall reconstructed in 1986/2000 and the gate complex with its wicket gate give a vivid impression of early castle construction. The Heunischenburg thus complements the city’s medieval and later fortifications with a much earlier period of architectural history.

The Lucas Cranach Trail offers a different way to explore Kronach’s history. It comprises seven stops and seven audio contributions. The set number of stops and contributions clearly defines this format; the “Upper Town” city tour, by contrast, focuses on the ramparts, towers and other features mentioned above. When planning, you can choose between the two based on whether you are interested in a themed trail or a guided exploration of the Old Town.

Park Art and Landscape

The 14-hectare State Garden Show Park is located in Kronach at the confluence of the Haßlach, Kronach and Rodach rivers. The park contains an extensive sculpture park with 16 works of art. Twelve sculptures are from the Kronach Art Association’s sandstone triennials. This outdoor art complements the historic buildings with a different cultural focus. The park and the Old Town represent different themes for planning your trip: landscape and art on the one hand, town walls and military architecture on the other.

Culinary Tours

The local guided tours also differ in their themes. The “Long Live the Dumpling” tour takes you through the Upper Town and explores the history of the dumplings described as typical of Kronach, the old inns, the cookshop, different kinds of dumplings and the so-called “Klüeßfraala”. “Bratwöscht and Beer” focuses on beers such as “Schmäuß” and “Förster-Pils”, as well as interesting facts about Kronach’s “Bratwöscht” sausage.

If you are choosing between the two offerings, you can look at their respective focuses: one tour is devoted to the history of dumplings and the associated places and topics, while the other explores the beers mentioned and bratwurst. Check the current dates for both tours; for “Bratwöscht and Beer”, you should also ask the town about booking options. This lets you include Kronach’s culinary side in your travel plans alongside the fortress, Old Town and park art.

Discover more destinations: Steinbach Am Wald, Mitwitz, Weißenbrunn, Tschirn, Steinwiesen, Nordhalben, Stockheim In Oberfranken, Küps.

Back to the main travel overview: Kronach.