| Rosenberg Fortress | |
|---|---|
Festung Rosenberg | |
| Kronach, Germany | |
.jpg) Fortress Rosenberg | |
  Rosenberg Fortress  Rosenberg Fortress | |
| Coordinates | 50°14′40″N 11°19′39″E / 50.2444°N 11.3276°E |
| Type | Fortress |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Kronach |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Almost entirely intact |
| Site history | |
| Built | 13th to 18th century |
| Built by | Prince-Bishops of Bamberg |
Rosenberg Fortress (German: Festung Rosenberg) is a fortress situated on a hill overlooking Kronach, a town in the Upper Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany. It is one of the largest, best-preserved, and most complete fortresses in Bavaria. Tracing its origins back to the 13th century, the fortress was never captured by violent means. Originating as a medieval hill castle, it was transformed into a massive baroque fortress complex during the early modern period, being one of the two fortresses of the Prince-Bishopric of Bamberg (the other one being the now-defunct Forchheim Fortress). With countless construction stages representing centuries of architectural development visible, Rosenberg Fortress serves as an outstanding example of the evolution of defensive architecture in Germany. Including its moats and ravelins, the fortress covers an area of circa 8.5 hectares (19.8 acres).[1]