Küps brings together a long history of castles and a porcelain industry that has shaped the town for more than 190 years. Visitors who want to explore on foot can take the Castles Circular Trail, a clearly defined 17.5-kilometre route. This offers distinct themes to consider when planning a trip: architecture, porcelain tradition and hiking.

A history of castles across several building phases

The Middle or Old Castle is the oldest castle in Küps. It was the first residence of the earliest local nobility, Wolfram von Chubece. The Rear or New Castle was built in its present form in 1730 by Sigmund Karl von Redwitz. These two histories alone mark distinct historical milestones.

The Upper Castle also has a distinctive architectural feature: its remarkable half-timbering with runic motifs. The main building took its present form around 1615. The information about the Upper and New Castles relates to different building phases; the history of the Old Castle goes back to the early residence of the local nobility.

Castle locations on the Rodach

The New Castle stands in the heart of Küps above the Rodach Valley. The Old Castle was built on an open rocky plateau that juts out towards the Rodach. A moat protected the complex on the landward side. The Old Castle’s location thus combines views of the Rodach with a historically documented fortification.

In the past, the Old Castle could only be reached via a drawbridge. In 1746/47, it was replaced by a stone arched bridge adorned with a coat of arms. The bridge belongs to an earlier chapter in the castle’s history and should not be confused with the present-day question of whether the interiors can be visited.

Porcelain tradition and the Porcelain Route

Porcelain and porcelain-making have shaped Küps for more than 190 years. This craft tradition complements the town’s castle history and offers another way to explore its development.

The Porcelain Route runs via Bayreuth and Bamberg to Küps and Kronach, then on via Selb and Weiden in der Oberpfalz to Karlovy Vary and Ostrov in the Czech Republic. Küps is therefore on a route that extends beyond the region and has a direct connection to the porcelain tradition.

Hiking trail and markets

The Castles Circular Trail in Küps is 17.5 kilometres long and passes eight castles and their remains. The castles along the route are privately owned, so their interiors cannot be visited. Bear this restriction in mind when planning your hike.

Traditional markets are held around the town hall several times a year. Dates may vary. If a market is important to your trip, check the date in advance.

Plan your stay

If you are planning an overnight stay in Küps, decide what you want to focus on before searching: the 17.5-kilometre trail offers a clear reason to go hiking, while the castle history and porcelain are cultural themes for your stay. A market may also be on, depending on the date; plan around the specific date.

Discover more destinations: Pressig, Steinwiesen, Marktrodach, Weißenbrunn, Steinbach Am Wald, Mitwitz, Wilhelmsthal, Stockheim In Oberfranken

Go to the main travel overview: Kronach.