Nuremberg – if you’ve never been to the Franconian city, you probably associate it most with gingerbread, grilled sausages, the Christmas Market and, if you go back in history a bit, the Nuremberg Trials. The fact is that you can experience a lot of history when visiting Nuremberg, even far away from the bitter Nazi past. Towering high above the city is the famous Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle), which was frequented by emperors and kings of the Roman Empire. The 14th-century Gothic Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) and the Schöne Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain), where wishes are said to come true, shine in the market square. One of the most important German artists, Albrecht Dürer, called Nuremberg his home. And in the city center, despite heavy damage during the Second World War, you can retrace medieval life. But even beyond that, Nuremberg has many sights and beautiful places to discover while walking through the city. Enjoy the wonderful sights in Nuremberg – from the most beautiful places in the old town to places steeped in history and delicious restaurants.
Tip 1: Imperial Castle
In the days of the Holy Roman Empire, Nuremberg’s Imperial Castle represented power and prestige – today it symbolizes Nuremberg’s landmark. Although it was almost completely in ruins after the Second World War, it was rebuilt and shone in new splendor.
For all those interested, the Imperial Castle has the ideal offer, there is a museum that holds for the visitor valuable loans, but also impressive productions from that time. It is also possible to take a tour of the former palace and even spend the night there. The imperial stables have now been converted into a youth hostel. Spending the night in the famous imperial castle is something that some people will certainly not want to be told twice.
Besides the castle itself, there is the enchanting Castle Garden, on the Nuremberg city wall. It houses a rose quarter and the Maria Sibylla Merian Garden and invites you to linger in fine weather.
Tip 2: The former Nazi Party Rally Grounds
The Nazi Party rallies were held at Dutzendteich Lake in Nuremberg from 1933 to 1938. The 16.5km² large area can be visited today. In a part of the still unfinished congress hall, the “Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds” was created, which has a suitable offer for everyone who is interested. Thus, one can take part in guided tours, visit exhibitions and lectures, or, if one has the opportunity, sit in on a reading that takes place there.
In addition to the Luitpoldarena (today Luitpoldhain), the Zeppelin Field, the “Big Street” can also be found on the grounds. The exciting thing here is that the street is aligned with the Imperial Castle and was thus intended to establish a connection between the Holy Roman Empire and the Party Rally of the NSDAP.
Since the documentation center is easily accessible by public transport, it is ideal as a destination for excursions. In addition, you can also just take a nice walk around the ponds.
Tip 3: The Main Market Square and the Church of Our Lady
Nuremberg’s Main Market Square is the central square of Nuremberg’s Old Town and still serves, according to its original purpose, as the city’s marketplace.
In the run-up to Christmas, Nuremberg’s Christmas Market takes place on the Main Market Square against the impressive backdrop of the Church of Our Lady and the Beautiful Fountain.
The main market is surrounded by numerous historic buildings, including the Old Town Hall and the Church of St. Sebald.
The Church of Our Lady on the Main Market is one of the most important churches in Nuremberg and was opened in 1362 after ten years of construction.
After the plague pogroms in 1349, the Jewish synagogue on the Main Market was demolished and its site was used for the construction of the Church of Our Lady.
A Star of David in the floor of the Church of Our Lady today is a reminder of that time.
Tip 4: Albrecht Dürer House
The Albrecht Dürer House in Nuremberg was probably built around 1420. Before Albrecht Dürer purchased it for 275 gulden on June 14, 1509, it was owned by the astronomer Bernhard Walther. The four-story building has a high sandstone base topped by late medieval half-timbering with a front-facing balcony.
Nuremberg’s most famous son lived and worked in the building with his wife Agnes, his mother and apprentices until his death in 1528. After the master’s passing, the building did not play a significant role, which only changed during the period of Nuremberg’s romantic discovery. Since 1826, the Dürer House has been owned by the City of Nuremberg and has served, among others, as a meeting and exhibition venue for the Albrecht Dürer Society. The Albrecht Dürer House Foundation, founded in 1871, played a major role in its transformation into the Albrecht Dürer Museum. Badly damaged during World War II, the house was reopened after restoration on Aug. 31, 1949.
The Dürer grave in the Johannis cemetery in Nuremberg was the place of pilgrimage for many Dürer devotees until 1828. Only after this time, and this has not changed until today, it was replaced by the Albrecht Dürer House.
Today, the estate is part of the museums of the city of Nuremberg. From time to time, “Agnes Dürer” “in person” gives guided tours and introduces you to the life and living around 1500, the creative work and the Dürer-era workshop of the master. The multivision show “Albertus Durer Noricus” deals mainly with the work of the painter and draftsman.
Tip 5: Hangman’s footbridge and Wine storehouse
A beautiful long wooden footbridge over the River Pegnitz, which connects the flea market with the district St. Lawrenz – the hangman’s footbridge. It starts at the hangman’s tower, directly at the “Hangman’s House”, where the hangman and his assistant lived in the Middle Ages.
All those who are interested will find an exhibition on Nuremberg’s legal history in the museum. Next to the so-called Hangman’s House, there is also the largest half-timbered building in Germany, 48 meters long. This house used to be the leper hospital, but today visitors know it more commonly as the Wine Storehouse.
The Wine Storehouse is one of the most important architectural monuments in Nuremberg’s Old Town and is also included in the Historic Mile.
