Explorations of a really impressive German city!
Nuremberg (Nürnberg), Germany, blew me away. It was one of the most important cities in the region throughout the medieval period and onwards. Nuremberg was devastated by WWII. However, it’s actually hard to tell as the city center was mostly rebuilt as it appeared before the war. The Old Town Friends Nuremberg, a local historic preservation group, formed in the 1950s and guided the rebuilding. Unlike other cities devastated by the war (i.e., Berlin), they made sure many of the buildings that were rebuilt kept the city’s architectural heritage alive. The group is still actively restoring buildings to this day. While there are modern looking buildings in Nuremberg today, they are not outlandishly sticking out.
I originally chose to stop by Nuremberg for the German National Museum and use it for a starting off point for day trips to other cities. Because of my visits to Würzburg and Regensburg, I only had two days in Nuremberg. I essentially only had one day for museums due to the Shrove Tuesday holiday. A friend and I aimlessly wandered around all day the first day. Honestly, we did so much walking around I’m not even going to fit all of the first day in one post.
Jana Irving Starting off with Lorenzkirche, an ornate Gothic church built in the 15th century. Now a Lutheran church.
Jana Irving The fanciest Lutheran church I’ve ever seen.
Jana Irving Even though Lorenzkirche was one of the first Lutheran churches (1525), the wealthy citizens of Nuremberg didn’t want to give up the old artwork in the church. So, it remains, looking very Catholicy.
Jana Irving Gorgeous church though.
Jana Irving Heilig-Geist-Spital (Holy Spirit Hospital), a former hospital and senior home. Now a restaurant and senior home. Part of the building was built over the actual river. Must not be a flooding issue.
Jana Irving Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), an awesome looking 14th century church with a mechanical clock. I missed the little figures that come out of it.
Jana Irving It looks a lot bigger outside. Still lovely though.
Jana Irving Out in the plaza in front of the church (same place as where the famous Christmas market is held), is this fantastic fountain. Schöner Brunnen (amazingly “Beautiful Fountain” in German) looks like it should be on top of a church.
Jana Irving On the other side of the fountain is this fun building, complete with mural and a guy in armor. I can’t unsee the smiley face.
Jana Irving The backend of Sebalduskirche (St. Sebald) and an amazing Bratwurst house. My friend and I looped back to get lunch here and it was fantastic.
Jana Irving Circling around to the front of the church.
Jana Irving Awesome building nearby.
Jana Irving Sebalduskirche is a gorgeous 13th century Gothic church. It is also Lutheran, but looks Catholic. Nothing wrong with that.
Jana Irving A bit of the medieval art still there. Amazing!
Jana Irving Absolutely love the windows. The guy in the photo is not praying. He’s working on the wiring.
Jana Irving Basically in love with Nuremberg by this point.
Jana Irving Up the hill near the castle are some reconstructed medieval buildings along the city walls and one of the wonderful towers, Tiergärtnertor.
Jana Irving Albrecht Dürer’s House, one of the last surviving 15th century houses owned by an artist still standing in Northern Europe. Albrecht Dürer is one of Germany’s most famous painters. There, on the right, is the cleanest public restroom I’ve ever used. And it was free!?! Incredible.
Jana Irving Kaiserburg Nürnberg (Imperial Castle of Nuremberg) overlooks the old city of Nuremberg.
Jana Irving Neutorturm, a gate house and tower in the amazing city walls of Nuremberg.
Jana Irving The city walls span over the river!
Jana Irving Looking up the river.
Jana Irving The whole thing from further away.
Jana Irving Henkerbrücke (Hangman’s Bridge), an amazing covered bridge.
Jana Irving Another view.
Jana Irving Trödelmarkt, a plaza in the middle of an island in the river.
Jana Irving Weißer Turm (the White Tower). There is an actual subway entrance under the tower.
Jana Irving St. Elizabeth on the left and St. Jakob on the right.
Jana Irving St. Elizabeth is a bit different.
Jana Irving I like the color of St. Jakob’s ceiling.
Jana Irving The giant Spittlertorturm, at another city gate.
Jana Irving A 2D and 3D stag in one.
I’m finishing off this post with some Nazi monuments. The Nazis’ large rallying ground was built in the suburbs of Nuremberg. Today, the grounds are a large park, but many structures still remain from the Nazi days.
Jana Irving Ehrenhalle (Hall of Honor) was built to honor the soldiers of Nuremberg that died in the WWI. Although, it was built before the rise of Hitler, that didn’t stop him from using it as a stage during his rallies. This image shows Hitler and his friends in front of the Ehrenhalle.
Jana Irving Kongresshalle (Congress Hall) was supposed to be a meeting place for 50,000 Nazis. It was never finished.
Jana Irving It looks like this inside. Still unfinished.
Jana Irving Beyond a lake near the Kongresshalle was the Zeppelinfeld. We were too tired to walk over there so here’s a better picture from 1938.
We headed back to the city and explored a bit before collapsing. Will continue in the next post. By the way, Nuremberg is amazing. If you haven’t noticed.
Check out my next update where I explore even more of Nuremberg!
or
Start at the beginning of this adventure in Zurich!
