High above Frankfurt lies Kronberg im Taunus. A town steeped in history and legend. Its story begins not with a fairytale princess but with knights. The Knights of Cronberg. They built Kronberg Castle around 1220. This wasn’t just any castle. It was their ancestral home for centuries. A symbol of their power and influence.
Kronberg im Taunus wasn’t always a town. It started as a small settlement. But in 1330 it gained town rights. This came from none other than Louis IV Holy Roman Emperor. A significant step in its journey. Think about that for a moment. Imperial recognition. The weight of that history still lingers here.
The knights didn’t just build castles. They fought wars. One famous conflict was the Kronberg Feud of 1389. The Knights of Kronberg fought against Frankfurt. The battle was fierce. Hanau and the Palatinate sent reinforcements. The Frankfurt army was defeated at Eschborn. The Kronbergers took many prisoners. Including all the bakers butchers locksmiths and shoemakers.
Legend says a knight was unhorsed. Lacking a horse he fought on a donkey. The donkey’s braying supposedly terrified the Frankfurt troops. It’s a quirky story isn’t it? A donkey deciding the fate of a battle. This legendary donkey earned the Ohrenstamm or Earstem its place in the town’s coat of arms.
A massive ransom of 73000 golden guilders ended the feud. Frankfurt paid a price it felt for 120 years. The conflict even influenced the construction of Frankfurt’s Landwehr fortifications. It’s amazing to think of this town’s role in shaping regional history.
Kronberg im Taunus changed hands many times. In 1704 the last Knight of Cronberg died childless. Kronberg then went to the Electorate of Mainz. This period saw the construction of the Streitkirche or Dispute Church. It was planned as a Catholic church next to the existing Protestant one. This led to protests from the townspeople. The conflict even reached the Imperial Diet in Regensburg. Ultimately the church wasn’t consecrated. Today it houses a museum.
The 19th century brought wealthy industrialists and bankers to Kronberg im Taunus. They built villas and summer homes. The area’s beauty and proximity to Frankfurt made it an attractive location. Artists too flocked to Kronberg. They established the Kronberg Painters’ Colony which lasted into the 20th century.
The Schloss Friedrichshof stands as a testament to this era. It was built for Empress Frederick Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter. It is a magnificent building. It transformed Kronberg. It became a luxurious residence attracting European royalty and nobility. Today it is a stunning hotel.
Kronberg im Taunus has come a long way. From a medieval stronghold to a prosperous modern town. Yet its history remains. The castle the Streitkirche the villas. They all tell a story. The story of Kronberg im Taunus. A town where legend and reality intertwine. A place of contrasts a place of beauty. A town with a fascinating story that you can continue to discover for yourself.