Festungs-Weg KC 21

The mighty Rosenberg fortress, which has never been conquered, presents itself to us as a landmark of the 1000-year-old town of Kronach along almost the entire hiking route. Uniquely impressive views accompany us along the entire hike; they make us forget that we are walking on solid ground for long stretches. However, we should not only enjoy this beautiful view, but also experience the imposing castle on the Rosenberg ridge on a guided tour. As the north-eastern cornerstone of the Bamberg diocese, it protected the town, the surrounding area and the trade and transport routes. It was also the seat of the administration and was expanded into a fortress towards the end of the 16th century. For centuries, it bore witness to the power of the Bamberg bishops. It was never a castle to live in, but an impregnable fortress for protection and defense, nor a magnificent residence, but quite simply a symbol of power.

We start our hike at the parking lot above the Schützenhaus and walk uphill on the sidewalk through the elongated Seelach and further uphill to Rotschreuth, which lies at the foot of Rotschreuther Berg (503 m). There we can look back and enjoy the wide, magnificent view. From the hamlet, we follow the cul-de-sac over to the main road 303. On the way, we come across the connecting path coming from Seelach (which we could have already taken). On the main road, we briefly turn left and then, in the district of Gießübel, take a side road that leads us, keeping to the right, to Zollbrunn.

Where the footpath branches off to the right after the sports field to the "Zolllinde", we turn left onto a road and follow it to the end of Zollbrunn just before the forest. The fantastic views become even more impressive as we continue straight ahead along the edge of the forest to the access road to Kestel. Turn left downhill to reach the hamlet. We walk down the cul-de-sac, join the district road leading to Kronach and reach the three-river town on the B 85 and the train station via a pedestrian underpass.

The sights are now strung together like colorful pearls on a necklace as we cross the small pedestrian zone, across Marienplatz, past the Rose Tower, parish church, Column of Honour, the (probable) birthplace of Lucas Cranach the Elder ("Scharfes Eck"), the Old and New Town Hall and the Michael Fountain to the prison. The short route to Rosenberg Fortress is not far from here and is therefore not marked. Immediately before the prison, we turn left onto a footpath that leads us downhill through the Wolfsschlucht gorge to Schwedenstraße.

We turn right and continue - soon together with the Burgenweg - to the Silbermannanlage. We continue along Ludwigsstädter Straße until we walk through a railroad underpass and across the B 85 to the Schützenhaus and back to our starting point.</p