Lucas-Cranach-Town

Kronach
die Lucas-Cranach-Stadt
English Version
Lucas Cranach the
Elder: »Christ and the
Samaritan at the
Jakobs’ well«, 1550/52,
Franconian Gallery,
Fortress Rosenberg
Kronach
welcomes you
Willkommen
Welcome
Bienvenue
Here in the old but modern centre of the Frankenwald, the “Franconian
Forest“, you will find a special jewel. Our picturesque city embedded in
beautiful landscape with the three rivers Haßlach, Kronach and Rodach
fascinates with its medieval city centre and a defiant citadel.
First mentioned in 1249 the fortress is one of the biggest and best preserved
fortifications in Germany. The history of the city as well as of its stronghold
will captivate every single visitor.
But next to the historical Kronach you will find a modern city full of life
which offers sports and recreational activities, art, culture and festivals as
well as shopping opportunities.
Did you know that Lucas Cranach the Elder was born here and that the
ancestral seat of Loewe, the famous manufacturing firm for TVs, VCRs, and
hi-fi equipment, is in Kronach?
Let us invite you with this brochure to explore Kronach’s variety and to get
to know the hospitality of the city and its citizens-join our excursion through
history and present!
We are looking forward to your visit and wish you a pleasant, relaxing and
interesting stay in our city.
Yours Wolfgang Beiergrößlein
Mayor
The City's 1000 Year-Long History
from 1003 to 2003
History
Places worth
seeing
In the year 2003 Kronach will turn 1000 years old! In 1003 it was first
documentarily mentioned when the owner of that time Heinrich von
Schweinfurt, called Hetzilo, burned down his castle Crana because he had
to flee his lord, the later emperor Kaiser Heinrich II.
In 1122 Kronach was enlarged as the northern bulwark of the bishopric
thus several bishops became the sovereign for Kronach until the year 1003.
It is not known how the settlement Kronach spread out but it is certain
that already in the middle of the 13th century it received the freedom of
the city.
In the year 1430 Kronach was besieged by the Hussiten army and therefore
the citizens of the upper part of the city, which lay within the city-wall,
burned the lower part of the town outside the city-wall. Thus they destroyed
all the supplies which might have been of advantage for the besiegers. Since
the 15th century the beer from Kronach has been famous throughout the
city boundaries, thus many prince-bishops ordered their beer from Kronach.
In the sequel of the 15th and 16th century Kronach was threatened only
once, this time by the Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach, Albrecht
Alcibiades, during the so-called Markgrafenkrieg, the “Margrave-War”, in
1553.
The history of the Thirty Years’ War, called Schwedenkrieg (“Swedish War”)
is still known to all the citizens of Kronach. Kronach sided with their
sovereign, the prince-bishop of Bamberg, and was repeatedly attacked by
Swedish troupes in 1632, 1633 and 1634.
2000 citizens versus 20 000 enemies! But the citizens did not give up hope
and were able to beat back all attacks. The city arms, the refilled breach
in the city-wall as well as the golden necklace, which the mayor wears on
special occasions, are reminders of that war.
The nearly completely
preserved city- wall, its
towers, the Bamberg gate, as
well as the impressive
Stadtpfarrkirche (city church)
are romantic sites which invite
the visitor to go for a walk.
The strong walls of the
fortress are witnesses of
Kronach’s history)
In 1759 Kronach was again besieged, this time by the Prussians, but this
attack could be repulsed as well. In the year 1806 the French emperor
Napoleon Bonaparte came to Kronach and gave orders to attack Prussia.
Due to the Reichsdeputationshauptschluss in 1803 the Bamberg bishopric
and with that the town Kronach became part of Bavaria.
Throughout its history Kronach and its fortress have never been conquered.
For centuries Kronach, as the northern bulwark of the Bamberg bishopric,
withstood every single attack. Everyone who strolls through the city’s streets
and alleys will notice its pride in its own history.
The Fortress Rosenberg
Neither defeated nor conquered
Monument
Landmark
Museum
High above the old part of the town lies the former Bamberg bishop’s castle
at the top of the Rosenberg (“hill of roses”). The foundings of the fortress
Rosenberg during the medieval period are still unknown. But it is certain that
the oldest preserved document which mentions the name “Rosenberg” dates
back to the year 1249.
It is 23.6 hectares big and is one of Germany’s greatest fortifications. The nearly
symmetric and excellently built ring of forts includes a complex system of walls,
moats, buildings and gates. The different phases of construction can be clearly
seen beginning with the medieval Bergfried, walls and towers dating back to the
15th and 16th century to the baroque, pentagonal bastion which demonstrate
the new systems of defence needed throughout the centuries.
Numerous attacks, including the siege by the Swedish troops during the
Thirty Years’ War could not harm the fortifications. The citadel and its city
can be proud of the fact that they have neither been conquered nor defeated.
In 1888 the city purchased the fortress which did not serve any military
purpose at that time anymore.
The entrance of the fortress Rosenberg is one of Germany’s most beautiful
baroque gates and was built in 1662 by Antonio Petrini. Another attraction
is a complex system of underground tunnels which can be entered with a
guided tour offered at the fortress.
The Franconian Gallery
at the Fortress Rosenberg
Lucas Cranach and other great artists
Early baroque gate of the
fortress by
Antonio Petrini, 1662
The “Thick Tower” and the
commandant’s building
Staircase leading to the
Franconian Gallery
Tilman Riemenschneider:
“Marientod”,
Franconian Gallery
Museum
Exhibitions
Great Artists
One of the most famous German artists, Lucas Cranach the Elder, was born
in Kronach and spent his early years here. When he moved to Vienna and
then to Wittenberg he named himself after his hometown, called Cranach
at that time.
The Franconian Gallery displays Franconian pieces of art from the Middle
Ages and the Renaissance (13th – 16th century) in 25 rooms. Great artists
are included: Numerous paintings from Lucas Cranach the Elder and several
sculptures by Tilman Riemenschneider. It should be emphasized that many
pieces of art by Wolfgang Katzheimer the Elder and by the Bamberg school
of arts, dating back till the 1500, as well as those by Hans von Kulmbach,
one of Albrecht Dürer’s students, are shown.
Regularly, special exhibits complete the exposition of the old masters by
showing pieces of art of more different styles.
A museum displaying the history and development of the fortress as well
as the remodelled Frankenwald museum, showing the history of the city as
well as of the whole region emphasizing the folklore, will be open to the
public soon.
Lucas Cranach the Elder:
»Christ and the
adulteress«, around 1550,
Franconian Gallery,
Fortress Rosenberg
The old Town
Different periods of History
Medieval Period
Gothic
Baroque
Rococo
The upper part of the city, the old town, fascinates with its late medieval style
and is walled in by completely preserved city-walls. Beautiful, restored houses,
historical towers, wells, coats of arms and statues as well as sleepy alleys, squares
and corners dominate Kronach’s appearance.
The gothic church St. Johannes, for example, has probably the most beautiful
Franconian portal of that time. Especially remarkable is the statue of Johannes,
the work of an unknown artist of 1498. The historical city- hall was built in
1583 and its covered market place now serves as a festival hall. Thus it is not
only a centre of attraction for people interested in architecture but also in
culture. A tour through the picturesque Kronach is always a pleasure: whether
strolling through the narrow Pottu- alley of the Old Town or through the
“Wolfsschlucht” close to the city-wall leading to the fortress, whether visiting
the “Rosenturm” (tower of the roses) or the baroque church square built by
J. M. Küchel or visiting the public hospital and its chapel built by Dientzenhofer.
Northern gate of the
Stadtpfarrkirche (city church)
Column with the city’s coat
of arms at the
Melchior Otto square
The Lucas- Cranach- Street
and the Bamberg gate
at night
Kronach's Municipal Districts
Where you can clear your mind
Leisure- time
Recreation
Nature
Church of pilgrimage
Maria- Glosberg
Manor- house in Fischbach
Everybody spending more time in Kronach and its beautiful scenery should
also visit the districts and their famous sites. For example, visit the great
church of pilgrimage Maria- Glosberg built by Balthasar Neumann. In
Fischbach a church and a manor- house can be visited and one should not
forget to have a look at the late Gothic Georgeszyklus in the church tower
in Friesen. Worth seeing is the Heunischenburg which lies near Kronach at
the Wolfsberg between the villages Gehülz and Burgstall. It is one of the
oldest fortifications made of stone north of the Alps.
The districts of Kronach, like Fischbach or Gehülz, offer a beautiful scenery
with their green hills and valleys, rivers and forests. This diversified and idyllic
landscape is only a few kilometres away from Kronach’s city centre. With
great overviews and marked hiking trails guests are unmolested by noise or
stress and can relax from their workaday lives.
Late gothic fresco at the
church St. Georg in Friesen
Touristic Roads
Where several routes cross
The "Bier- und Burgenstraße" (beer and castle)
The beer and castle route is 500 kilometres long and leads from Bad
Frankenhausen right through Kronach to Passau (B 85).
Every single visitor will be impressed by this tourist route with its various
attractions. Embedded in the outstanding landscape of National Parks with
romantic rivers and valleys the defiant castles, beautifully restored palaces
and historic ruins convey history. Traditional inns offer native delicacies
inviting guests to relax and enjoy. The breweries one can find along the
highway B 85 make it difficult for beer lovers to choose from the many
different beers:
Dark beers, high-class pale beers, refreshing wheat beers and tasty bock beers;
Thuringian and Bavarian brewers spare no effort. The most famous brewery
of Kronach is the Kaiserhof Brauerei which is just as good as all the other
Bavarian beer breweries.
The "Burgenstraße" (castles)
The castle route is one of the most traditional tourist routes
of Germany’s 100 scenic drives. This “romantic route” is
975 kilometres long and leads from Mannheim through
Kronach to Prague. One can find fascinating landscape,
more than 70 castles and palaces lining the road as well as
many more impressing remnants of our past: medieval city
centres, ecclesiastical and profane buildings of different
historical periods and many cultural treasures. The numerous
museums offer history, art and masterly crafts as well. Another
special attraction are the different festivals one can enjoy
along this road throughout the year.
The "Porzellanstraße" (porcelain)
The porcelain route leads from Staffelstein through Kronach
to Weiden i.d.Opf. Goebel, Hutschenreuther, Eschenbach,
Winterling and many other important factories sell exquisite
china and charming porcelain statuettes, thus offering a
great shopping opportunity for collectors and specialists.
Industry and Craft
Moving from the periphery to the European centre
High-Tech
Know-How
Tradition
Tradition and modernity are nowhere connected so closely as here in Kronach
and the “Franconian Forest”.
Future orientated producing firms and service industries which operate
worldwide lie next to traditional handicraft businesses. The electrical and
mechanical engineering, the plastics and clothing industry do serve the
economical prosperity of this area as well as the fine ceramics, the glassworks
and the woodworking.
The guided tours are very interesting for visitors who want to see the company’s
insides. Loewe, for example, is famous for its TV, VCR and telephone
production and gives an insight into its High- Tech- Company. You can learn
interesting facts about the water purification at the water supply company
of Upper Franconia in Rieblich. Watching the production of tasty sweets at
the chocolate factory Lauenstein makes your mouth water and the making
of clocks and ornaments of slate can be seen at the slate factory Lotharheil
in Geroldsgrün. The listing could go on and on.
The Frankenwald with its diverse natural resources gives the region its
unmistakable identity.
Cultural Variety
Franconian lifestyle
Culture
Art
Festivals
Art and culture are as popular as celebrating festivals in Franconia. That is
what the Kronach citizens are best at. Exhibitions, concerts, the
Faust–Festspiele and the Kronach Summer Academy are as famous and
popular throughout the area as the numerous fairs, the Stadtviertelfest, the
Historical Stadtspektakel, the Kronach Fair with the riflemen’s meeting, the
Old Town Festival and the Christmas Market.
Historisches Stadtspektakel
Historical spectacle in the old town
Each summer the Lucas Cranach town revives its 1000-year-long history.
Everybody is invited to celebrate the historical Stadtspektakel with us in June
each year - a unique festival and a journey through history. Kronach carries
off its visitors for a weekend to an old and past era. In the historical Old
Town one can see blacksmiths, rope makers, coppers, basket-makers, rafts
men, carpenters, barber-surgeons, washing-women, potters, broommakers,
boot makers, women with herbs, lantern- makers, bakers and many more.
Showmen and jugglers showing fascinating tricks as well as dancers, historical
sounds, plays and fairy tales entertain and amuse Kronach’s visitors.
Faust-Festspiele
Faust Festival Performance
Kronach offers a unique and cultural highlight performing the Faust- Festspiele in July and August
of each year. “Faust” written by Johann Wolfgang Goethe is presented to the audience open air
in a wonderful scenery. In addition to that different other plays are shown.
The concept of the Festspiele is to bring literature close to the public by presenting the great
classics in a relaxed manner. Even Goethe’s “Faust II”, one of the most complicated dramas ever,
has become a success on stage with its adopted version for all different kinds of audiences.
Kronacher Housnkuhtag
Swedish Parade
Historical Spectacle
Rosenau Festival
Faust Festival Performance
WoodArt
Wine Fair at the Stadtgraben
Summer Art Academy
Strauer Festival
Riflemen’s meeting
Old Town Festival
Meetings of three states
Napoleon riding
through town
Christmas Market
The Kronach Summer Art Academy
“Cranach Werkstätten”
For a few years the Kronach Summer Art Academy has been part of the
city’s cultural program. The native town of Lucas Cranach the Elder invites
everybody interested in art to participate in one of the many classes dealing
with different kinds of art. It is one of Kronach’s concerns to let visitors
experience and create their own pieces of art rather than look at works of
art. Thus the city offers impressive rooms to work in at the fortress Rosenberg
to create a fantastic working atmosphere. For two weeks the participants will
learn how to put their ideas into action through artists who have already
made a name for themselves and have proved their abilities as teachers before.
Kronacher Freischießen
A fair with riflemen’s meetings
This important festival has its origins way back in the year 1588. During this so-called “Fifth
Season” young and old people meet at the “Hofwiese” to enjoy the fair with beer and music.
Kronacher Christmas Market
At the end of each year the merry Christmas Market takes place in the beautiful Old Town of
Kronach which is well-known far and wide. An extensive program with a lot of musical performances
offers a wide variety of amusements.
Sports and Recreational Activities
Exercise and recreation guaranteed
Not only the cultural activities in Kronach offer a high quality leisure-time
occupation but also tennis, horseback-riding, skateboarding, mountain-biking,
gliding, fishing, golfing, fitness and many more sport activities are provided.
200 kilometres of hiking trails around Kronach are free for every hiker to
use. Improved and marked roads make bicycle tours and mountain biking
possible. The adventure-pool Crana Mare, located at the Kreuzberg, offers
fun and wellness throughout the year.
Tennis
Golf
Horseback-riding
Flying
Scaten
Fitness
Hiking
Fishing
Swimming
Biking
Summer Toboggan
Cross-Country
Skiing
Information about the town of Kronach:
- accoundation and gastronomy,
- events,
- sights and excursions,
- the Fortress Rosenberg,
- museums and exhibitions
- advance booking
Tourismus- und Veranstaltungsbetrieb
der Lucas-Cranach-Stadt Kronach
Marktplatz 5
96317 Kronach
Tel.: 0 92 61 - 9 72 36
Fax: 0 92 61 - 9 73 10
Internet: www.kronach.de
E-Mail: [email protected]
Opening hours:
May 1st - September 30th:
Mo - Fr.: 10 am to 5 pm
Sa.:
10 am to 2 pm
October 1st - April 30th:
Mo - Fr.: 10 am to 4 pm
Sa.:
10 am to 1 pm
Fortress Rosenberg
Tel.: 0 92 61 - 60 41 0
Fax: 0 92 61 - 60 41 18
Internet: www.kronach.de
E-Mail: [email protected]
Fortress gudiance:
March to October:
daily, except monday
11 am, 12.30 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm
or after registration
November to February:
daily, except monday
11 am and 2 pm
or after registration
Opening hours Franconian Gallery:
March to October:
daily, except monday
11 am and 12.30 pm
closed from November to February
We are glad
about your visit!
Imprint
Editor:
Tourismus- und Veranstaltungsbetrieb
der Lucas-Cranach-Stadt Kronach
Photography:
Stefan Diller
Reinhard Feldrapp
Bouillion GmbH
Hajo Dietz, Luftbild Nürnberg
Layout and Design:
Hering’s Büro, Kronach
Stand: Dezember 2009
Visit the Lutherstadt Wittenberg, the effect place of Lucas Cranach d.Ä.
Thanks to the sponsors: