Rosenberg Festspiele Kronach
Open-air theatre on the Rosenberg Fortress high above the half-timbered town of Kronach
About Rosenberg Festspiele
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Open-air theatre at one of Germany's most important fortresses
The Rosenberg Festspiele are the summer open-air theatre festival of the town of Kronach in Upper Franconia (Bavaria). The venue is the Festung Rosenberg, one of the largest and best-preserved fortress complexes in Germany – a landmark above the half-timbered town of Kronach, widely known as the birthplace of the Renaissance painter Lucas Cranach the Elder.
Three plays in rotation
The 2026 season features three main productions on the fortress's open-air stage:
- Die kleine Hexe (The Little Witch) – Children's play based on Otfried Preußler, premiere May 10, 2026
- Ernst sein ist alles (The Importance of Being Earnest) – Comedy by Oscar Wilde, premiere June 24, 2026
- Der Prozess (The Trial) – Drama based on Franz Kafka, premiere July 15, 2026
The productions use the fortress's walls, ramparts, and courtyards as a playful backdrop – a hallmark of the Rosenberg Festspiele.
Special Programme – Six Pack and Nosferatu 2.0
In addition to the theatre productions, there is a special programme:
- Six Pack – the a cappella comedy show: the renowned German a cappella ensemble in the fortress setting
- Nosferatu 2.0 by Klangfeder: a sound and light experience as an experimental crossover format
Freilicht Theater Dreieck Oberfranken
The Rosenberg Festspiele are part of the „Freilicht Theater Dreieck Oberfranken" (Open-Air Theatre Triangle Upper Franconia), a collaboration with the Luisenburg-Festspiele (Wunsiedel) and the Naturbühne Trebgast. Together, the three stages put Upper Franconia on the German open-air theatre map and offer a coordinated summer programme.
Kronach and the Rosenberg Fortress
Kronach, with around 17,000 inhabitants, is the district capital of the Kronach district in Upper Franconia (Bavaria). The historic old town with its half-timbered houses and the Rosenberg Fortress form a double tourist highlight in the Frankenwald region. The fortress also houses the Bavarian National Museum's Franconian Gallery branch, featuring works by Lucas Cranach.
Rosenberg Festspiele — edition 2026
2026 Schedule – Three Premieres and a Special Programme
The Rosenberg Festspiele 2026 opens on May 10 with the premiere of the children's play "Die kleine Hexe" based on Otfried Preußler. This will be followed on June 24 by the comedy "Ernst sein ist alles" by Oscar Wilde, and on July 15 by the drama "Der Prozess" based on Franz Kafka. The three main productions will alternate throughout the summer on the fortress's open-air stage and will be performed until August 21, 2026.
The Fortress as a Stage
The Rosenberg Fortress is more than just a backdrop: staircases, defensive walls, and courtyards are incorporated into the productions. Kafka's "The Trial," in particular, finds an atmospherically fitting venue within the dense architecture of the fortress.
Special Programme
The schedule is complemented by two open-air specials: Six Pack – the a cappella comedy show brings the renowned German a cappella ensemble to the fortress stage. Nosferatu 2.0 by Klangfeder is a sound and light experience that reinterprets the silent film classic with experimental music.
Programme Rosenberg Festspiele 2026
2026 Premieres
- May 10, 2026 – Premiere Die kleine Hexe (based on Otfried Preußler, children's play)
- June 24, 2026 – Premiere Ernst sein ist alles (Oscar Wilde, comedy)
- July 15, 2026 – Premiere Der Prozess (based on Franz Kafka, drama)
Plays in Repertoire (May 10 – August 21, 2026)
- Die kleine Hexe – Family play
- Ernst sein ist alles – Comedy
- Der Prozess – Kafka drama
Open Air Special Programme
- Six Pack – the a cappella comedy show
- Nosferatu 2.0 by Klangfeder (Sound and light experience)
Highlights Rosenberg Festspiele 2026
Prices Rosenberg Festspiele 2026
Practical information — Rosenberg Festspiele
Getting There
Festung Rosenberg, 96317 Kronach. By car: A73 (exit Kronach-Süd or Kronach-Nord), then follow signs for Festung Rosenberg. By train to Kronach main station, then a walk of approx. 20 minutes uphill or use the fortress shuttle. Parking is available at the foot of the fortress.
Tickets
Tickets range from €14.00 (children's plays) to €34.00 (adult productions). Advance booking: Reservix (rosenbergfestspiele.reservix.de) and at the box office on site. Discounts available for schoolchildren, students, and families.
On Site
Open-air stage in the inner courtyard of the fortress. In case of bad weather, check the festival website for information. Catering available at the fortress café and the historic fortress tavern.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Rosenberg Festspiele al mejor precio.
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