Rosenberg Fortress rises steeply above Kronach’s old town. Once a castle belonging to the Prince-Bishops of Bamberg and later a regional fortress, it has shaped the town’s history. In Kronach, you can also explore the late-medieval Upper Town, a Bronze Age fortification and art in the park—different starting points for a stay combining history and culture.
Rosenberg Fortress: Fortifications and Guided Tours
The fortress brings together fortification architecture from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods. You can visit its underground passage system as part of a guided fortress tour. A tour also highlights areas of the complex whose architecture differs from what you see above ground. Check the latest visitor information about tours before your trip.
From May to August, the Rosenberg Festival presents open-air theatre at Rosenberg Fortress. The annual programme changes, so check the dates for your travel period. The fortress thus combines architectural history that is on permanent display with a seasonal theatre programme.
Upper Town: Town Walls, Lanes and Church
The Upper Town is a historic old town with a late-medieval character and a fully preserved town wall. On the seasonal “The Upper Town” guided tour, participants see Kronach’s battlements and towers, cellars, wells and narrow lanes. The tour starts at the Lucas Cranach monument in the market square. Check the latest visitor information about the tour before your trip.
The Gothic parish church of St. John is also in the Upper Town. There is a church portal on its north side; the figure of St. John there is a work by an unknown master, dated 1498. A look at the church adds a specific detail from the town’s architectural and artistic history to your exploration of the old town.
Heunischenburg and Bronze Age Fortifications
The Late Bronze Age Heunischenburg is located in Kronach-GehĂĽlz. It is considered the oldest scientifically researched stone fortress in Europe north of the Alps. A section of wall and gate complex with a postern, reconstructed in 1986/2000, give a vivid impression of early fortress construction. Heunischenburg offers a different historical perspective from Rosenberg Fortress, which dates from the Middle Ages and was later expanded: here, the focus is on the early history of stone fortifications.
Art and Walking Routes in the State Garden Show Park
The 14-hectare State Garden Show Park lies at the confluence of the Haßlach, Kronach and Rodach rivers. The park is home to an expansive sculpture park with 16 works of art; twelve sculptures come from the Kronach Art Association’s sandstone triennials. At the park entrance, you will also find “Waterfire,” an open-air video artwork by Fabrizio Plessi, described as the largest in the world.
Another way to discover Kronach is the Lucas Cranach Trail. It comprises seven stops and seven audio features. This format differs from a guided tour, where a group explores specific places and themes together: the trail links its stops with individual audio features.
Culinary History of the Town
The “Long Live the Dumpling” tour takes you through the Upper Town and introduces the history of dumplings typical of Kronach. Topics include historic inns, the public cookhouse, different kinds of dumplings and the so-called “Klüeßfraala.” If you are interested in the town’s culinary history, this tour offers a distinct focus within the range of activities. Check the current schedule in advance.
The “Sausages and Beer” tour introduces beers such as “Schmäuß” and “Förster-Pils” and shares insights into Kronach’s “Bratwöscht” sausages. Unlike the dumpling tour, it focuses on beer and bratwurst. Contact the town before your trip for current dates and booking options.
When choosing activities, you can explore different sides of Kronach: fortress architecture and guided tours, the townscape and church art, Heunischenburg, as well as art in the park and culinary themes. Check seasonal tours, festival dates and the latest options for culinary tours to suit your travel period.
Discover more destinations: Steinwiesen, Nordhalben, Steinbach Am Wald, Pressig, Wallenfels, Tettau, Stockheim In Upper Franconia, Ludwigsstadt.
Back to the main travel overview: Kronach.
