Küps – Castles and Porcelain Tradition

In Küps, castle history and porcelain making represent two distinct sides of the town. They are joined by a circular castle trail, traditional markets around the town hall and the Porcelain Route. You can give these topics different priorities when planning your trip, depending on whether you are mainly interested in historic buildings, local crafts, a hike or a market day.

Castles in Küps: Different Building Histories

The Middle or Old Castle is the oldest castle in Küps and was the first residence of the earliest local noble family, Wolfram von Chubece. It was built on an open rocky plateau projecting towards the Rodach; a moat protected the site on the landward side. The former entrance could only be reached by a drawbridge. In 1746/47, this was replaced by a stone arch bridge decorated with a coat of arms.

The Rear or New Castle was built in its present form in 1730 by Sigmund Karl von Redwitz. It stands in the middle of Küps above the Rodach Valley. The Upper Castle makes a different architectural statement, with its remarkable half-timbering featuring runic motifs. Its main building was constructed in its present style around 1615. The castles can thus be distinguished by their documented building histories and their different designs.

The Circular Castle Trail and Its Limitations

The circular castle trail in Küps is 17.5 kilometres long and passes eight castles and their remains. There are also eight castles across the municipality as a whole, and Küps is often called a community of castles.

The castles along the circular trail are privately owned, so their interiors cannot be visited. If you are planning the hike, bear this limitation in mind when setting your expectations. Before your visit, also check local notices in case access arrangements have changed.

Porcelain as a Local Tradition

Porcelain and porcelain making have shaped Küps for more than 190 years. This tradition is carried on, among others, by Lindner Porzellan, established in 1932, and the Stumpf porcelain factory, which specialises in goods for clubs and associations. This topic adds another perspective on the town to its castle history: the focus shifts from architectural styles and historical dates to craftsmanship and porcelain.

For a broader geographical perspective, the Porcelain Route passes through Bayreuth and Bamberg on its way to Küps and Kronach. From there, it continues via Selb and Weiden in der Oberpfalz to Karlovy Vary and Ostrov in the Czech Republic. These destinations extend beyond Küps, placing the town’s porcelain tradition within a wider route.

Markets and Trip Planning

Traditional markets are held several times a year around the town hall in Küps. If a market day is important to your stay, check the specific dates in advance. The recurring markets and the 17.5-kilometre hiking route offer different ways to plan: one focuses on a particular event date, while the other involves a longer tour past castles and their remains.

If you are looking for a hotel in Küps, you can choose your travel dates and focus based on your interests: castle history, porcelain, hiking or the markets. When visiting the castles, remember that their interiors are not open to visitors; for a market visit, the specific date is key.

Discover more destinations: Steinbach Am Wald, Ludwigsstadt, Mitwitz, Wilhelmsthal, Kronach, Weißenbrunn, Tettau, Teuschnitz.

Back to the main travel overview: Kronach.