Municipality of Kronach

The Municipality of Kronach (Stadt Kronach) is the local government of Kronach, a town in the Franconian region of Bavaria, Germany. It is a public-sector entity responsible for municipal administration, citizen services, tourism promotion, cultural affairs, and the stewardship of the town's historic heritage. Kronach is often called the "Lucas Cranach city" after the Renaissance painter Lucas Cranach the Elder, who was born there, and it markets itself around its roughly 1,000-year documented history. The town's origins are traced to 1003, when the settlement of Crana is first mentioned in a document; a formal celebration of this first documentary mention was held in 2003. From 1122 until 1803 the area belonged to the Prince-Bishopric of Bamberg, whose bishops were the territorial lords of Kronach. By 1323/24 Kronach was described as a walled town with suburbs. Its medieval economy rested on its position as a transport hub: rivers made it a center for timber export from the Franconian Forest, and overland roads made it a stage on long-distance trade routes to and from Saxony and Thuringia. The town was threatened during the German Peasants' War (1525) and the Margrave War (1553), and it was repeatedly attacked and besieged during the Thirty Years' War in 1632, 1633 and 1634, attacks the townspeople successfully repelled. Today the municipality operates as a modern local authority while promoting tourism and culture. Its official website invites visitors to discover the tourist offerings of the "Lucas Cranach city," to experience its living 1,000-year history through guided tours and museum education programs, and to enjoy festivals, concerts, exhibitions and the Rosenberg Festival held above the roofs of Kronach. It also highlights Franconian cuisine, beer specialties and local hospitality, and provides citizen services such as a town map and a fault-reporting service. The townscape has a three-tier structure: the Lower Town along the Haßlach, Kronach and Rodach rivers, the walled Old Town above it, and the Rosenberg Fortress crowning the cityscape.

Kronach's documented history begins in 1003, when the settlement of Crana is first mentioned: according to the town's own history, Heinrich von Schweinfurt, called Hezilo, burned his own holding of Crana as he fled from his lord, the future Emperor Henry II. In 2003 the town celebrated the anniversary of this first documentary mention. In 1122 the area came into the possession of the Prince-Bishopric of Bamberg, whose bishops served as territorial lords of Kronach until 1803. By 1323/24 Kronach was first described as a walled town with suburbs. In 1430 a Hussite army detachment besieged Kronach, and the citizens of the Upper Town set fire to the suburbs themselves in their defense, an act that led to years of disputes. In the later Middle Ages Kronach owed its economic importance above all to its function as a transport hub: the rivers made the town a center of timber export from the Franconian Forest, and important overland roads made it a stage of long-distance trade to and from Saxony and Thuringia. During the 16th century Kronach was threatened during the German Peasants' War (1525) and the so-called Margrave War (1553). The town is still known to all Kronach residents for its experience of the Thirty Years' War, the "Swedish War": Kronach was repeatedly attacked and besieged in 1632, 1633 and 1634, but the townspeople did not give up and repelled all enemy attacks. This period is remembered in the town coat of arms and in the refilled breach in the fortifications. The townscape has a three-tier structure: the Lower Town lies along the rivers Haßlach, Kronach and Rodach; above it is the walled Old Town; and the cityscape is crowned by the Rosenberg Fortress. In the present day the municipality presents itself as the "Lucas Cranach city of Kronach," promoting its living 1,000-year history through guided tours and museum education programs, and hosting numerous festivals, concerts, exhibitions and the Rosenberg Festival above the roofs of Kronach.

• 2003

  Kronach celebrates the 1,000th anniversary of its first documentary mention.

• 1803

  The Prince-Bishops of Bamberg cease to be territorial lords of Kronach.

• 1632

  Kronach is attacked and besieged during the Thirty Years' War (repeated in 1633 and 1634); all attacks are repelled.

• 1553

  Kronach is threatened during the so-called Margrave War.

• 1525

  Kronach is threatened during the German Peasants' War.

• 1430

  A Hussite army detachment besieges Kronach; citizens burn the suburbs in defense.

• First documentary mention of the settlement of Crana; Heinrich von Schweinfurt burns his holding while fleeing.

• The area comes into the possession of the Prince-Bishopric of Bamberg, whose bishops rule as territorial lords until 1803.

• Kronach is first described as a walled town with suburbs (1323/24).

A historic Franconian town municipality promoting its 1,000-year heritage, Lucas Cranach legacy, and cultural tourism.

• Municipal administration and citizen services

• Tourism promotion and guided tours

• Museum education programs for young and old

• Festivals, concerts and exhibitions

• Rosenberg Festival

• Town map and fault-reporting service

1. 1Official website homepagekronach.de
2. 2Stadtgeschichtekronach.de
3. 3Wikidata: Municipality of Kronachwikidata.org