Discover Kronach: Fortress and Old Town

Kronach combines a striking fortress setting with a late medieval town layout and art in the open air. Rosenberg Fortress rises above the Old Town; the Upper Town retains its town wall, while the State Garden Show Park lies at the confluence of three rivers. There are also guided tours covering military history, architecture and Kronach’s food culture.

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 reflects the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque period. The underground passage system is also part of the visitor experience and can be explored as part of a fortress tour. From May to August, the Rosenberg Festival presents open-air theatre at the fortress. The programme changes from year to year; check the current performance dates before your trip.

The Upper Town is a historic old town with a late medieval character and a fully preserved town wall. On the “The Upper Town” guided tour, participants see covered battlements and towers, cellars, wells and narrow lanes. The tour starts at the Lucas Cranach Monument in the market square. Tours are scheduled seasonally; check the town’s latest visitor information before your trip.

The Gothic parish church of St John is also worth a closer look. On its north side is a church portal featuring a figure of St John, a work by an unknown master dated 1498. A walk through the Upper Town thus brings you face to face with a specific detail of late medieval art.

Archaeology, art and Kronach’s food culture

In Kronach-Gehülz lies the late Bronze Age Heunischenburg, considered the oldest scientifically researched stone hillfort in Europe north of the Alps. A section of wall and the gate complex with its wicket gate, reconstructed in 1986/2000, give a vivid impression of early castle building. The Lucas Cranach Trail offers a different way to explore the town’s history, with seven stops and seven audio contributions.

The 14-hectare State Garden Show Park also brings together landscape and art. The rivers Haßlach, Kronach and Rodach meet here. The extensive sculpture park features 16 works of art, 12 of which come from the Kronach Art Association’s sandstone triennials. At the park entrance is also “Waterfire”, an open-air video art installation by Fabrizio Plessi, described as the largest in the world.

If you would like to learn more about Kronach’s food culture, you can choose between two themed tours. The “Long Live the Dumpling” tour leads through the Upper Town and explores the history of Kronach dumplings, old inns, the cookshop, different kinds of dumplings and the so-called “Klüeßfraala”. The “Sausages and Beer” tour introduces beers such as “Schmäuß” and “Förster-Pils” and shares insights about Kronach’s “Bratwöscht”. For the dumpling tour, it is advisable to check the latest dates; contact the town for dates and bookings for “Sausages and Beer”.

Kronach District: Landscapes and More to Explore

As a wider travel destination, Kronach District offers a change of scenery distinct from the town’s history. Its larger northeastern part extends into the Franconian Forest, a densely wooded, low-domed upland region with many valleys at elevations of around 500 to just over 700 metres. The rest of the district lies in the northern part of the Upper Main Hills. This area descends southwest from the Franconian Forest to around 300–500 metres and features escarpments and terraces. Most of the district lies in the Rodach catchment area, whose tributaries flow southwest towards the upper Main.

There are hiking routes to suit different preferences and ability levels: the Rennsteig through the Thuringian Forest and the Franconian Forest runs for 18 kilometres through part of the district. The “Along the Wayside Shrine” FrankenwaldSteigla trail is 14.7 kilometres long and rated moderately difficult. The “Ködel Tour” in Steinwiesen is 17.1 kilometres long and considered very difficult. The distances and, in particular, the difficulty ratings can help you compare routes; check current trail conditions before setting out. Another option is the 14-kilometre circular route around the Mauthaus drinking water reservoir, suitable for skating, cycling, roller skiing, roller skating and running.

You can also plan your routes around the district using specific transport options. The Rodachtal Railway runs from Steinwiesen to Nordhalben with a historic locomotive and carriages; check operating days in advance. Route 1609 runs from the district capital of Kronach through the Rodach Valley to the spa town of Bad Steben. A bicycle trailer is available on the Radlbus from May to October; check the current timetable and seasonal availability. On-demand buses take visitors to places including Lauenstein Castle; check the reservation requirements in advance.

The main castle of Lauenstein Castle houses a museum spread across more than 20 rooms, with armour, weapons and preserved historicist furnishings, including tiled stoves, paintings, and wall and ceiling paintings. Mitwitz Water Castle is also in the district. Its origins date back to the mid-13th century; its present form as a Renaissance building took shape through alterations and additions made between 1596 and 1598. Tours offer a look inside the private rooms of the castle’s last residents; availability may vary.

When choosing accommodation in Kronach, you can decide whether to focus mainly on exploring the fortress, the Upper Town and guided town tours, or to extend your plans to include hiking, historic train rides and cultural attractions across the district.

Discover more destinations: Wilhelmsthal, Marktrodach, Steinwiesen, Steinbach am Wald, Küps, Nordhalben, Wallenfels, Stockheim in Oberfranken.

Go to the main travel overview: Kronach.