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Nuremberg sights

Among the countries with a rich past, which managed to maintain a bright personality and the unique atmosphere of its centuries-old history, Germany occupies a special place. A nation known for its love of order and neatness in all things, it has tried to preserve its national heritage despite wars, revolutions, and the division of the nation into two countries. Nuremberg sights are rightly recognized as one of the oldest and most unique in German lands.

The most interesting objects in Nuremberg

Every year a huge number of guests from around the world come to Nuremberg to be transported for a few hours or days, as if on a fantastic time machine, into another historical era.

The center of the sightseeing pilgrimage of the second most important Bavarian city is rightly considered its historical part.

The Old Town (Altstadt) in Nuremberg, Germany

The Old Town (Altstadt) is conventionally divided into two halves by the river Pegnitz. Both parts are adequately represented on the historical map with magnificent examples of medieval architecture and numerous objects of interest to the foreigner.

Even numerous photos with delightful descriptions of the sights of Nuremberg can not convey the individual charm of the Altstadt – so wonderfully combines the natural and architectural beauty here.

Architecture

A unique feature of Nuremberg is an abundance of ancient objects – buildings, monuments, fortresses, churches, bridges, which in fact are not the original medieval buildings. During the last world war almost the entire city was turned into ruins, by a miracle managed to survive a few buildings. However, the local authorities, with the support of government circles, did a gigantic job of restoring the ruined antiquities.

Several of Nuremberg’s sights are easy to recognize from photos and enthusiastic descriptions – once you see them, you can’t help but be overwhelmed by emotion.

“Old Town Glasses.”

St. Spirit's Divine Home in Nuremberg

An interesting name belongs to the Holy Spirit’s Divine House (14th century). One of Europe’s oldest clinics has been open for several centuries to the most destitute citizens – beggars, the disabled.

When the building was expanded, an additional wing had to be thrown across the river by running water under two arched slabs. Reflected in Pegnitz, they form circles that visually resemble large glasses. The former almshouse was photographed so often that gradually the house on the water began to be considered a business card of Nuremberg.

Burg Fortress

Burg Fortress in Nuremberg

The main attraction of Nuremberg, which has become an emblem of the city – the famous 11th century fortress on a high rocky mountain in the Old Town, surrounded on all sides by lush gardens. The fortress has two parts: the Imperial and Burgrave’s, facing west and east.

It is the most visited tourist attraction, from the observation deck on a hill you can see the whole of Nuremberg.

Monuments

The area near the sculptures and monuments is a favorite vacation spot for citizens and visitors. More often than not, guests take away in photo albums a resting Nuremberg hare, a bronze-frozen figure of the 16th-century poet. Hans Sachs, the overland “Ship of Fools.

Monument to Hans Sachs

In fact, the monument consists of a monument and a square bearing the name of Hans Sachs, the author of numerous poetic works and winged expressions that have long become folk expressions. For a long time Saxe’s name was forgotten, until his poetic colleague, the genius Goethe, composed a poem dedicated to the undeservedly forgotten poet.

It is worth knowing that another great German, R. Wagner, dedicated his opera The Meistersingers of Nuremberg to the talented simple shoemaker, who had an outstanding literary talent.

Mysterious but funny

Rabbit monument in Nuremberg

On Dürer Square, in front of the House Museum of the artist, a huge metal rabbit (or hare, after all) rests cozily. The sculpture is a bit strange – the cute animal has distinctly human features.

What the author wanted to say with his creation – remains unknown, but it is believed that this is a kind of embodiment of Durer’s work “Hare.

Land Ship

One of the most curious local monuments is the sculptural group “Ship of Fools” frozen above the ground, embodying the characters of the novel of the same name by S. Brant. Brant. In the story, several not too intelligent travelers under the command of a false scientist set off on a long journey in search of Narragonia – the land of stupidity, where Mr. Pfenning reigns.

Initially it was planned to decorate the composition of the fountain – after all, the boat should sail. However, the “launch” did not take place, and since then the ship has been floating on air.

Churches

The Magnificent Churches of Nuremberg

Of Nuremberg’s religious buildings, three are considered particularly significant: the Church of Our Lady, the Church of the Holy Virgin, the Church of the Holy Spirit, and the Church of the Holy Mary. Sebald and St. Lorentz.

  1. Shrine of Our LadyThe Church of the Virgin Mary on Market Square was built by Charles IV on the site of a synagogue that was destroyed along with the Jewish ghetto during the 14th century pogroms. The highlight of the church is a small performance that masses of people come to see in Nuremberg: at noon the figures on the church facade are set in motion. The trumpeters give the signal, and the seven electors circle Emperor Charles IV three times, swearing allegiance to the throne.
  2. The Church of St. Lorenz was built for almost 200 years, for a long time considered the largest in the Bavarian lands. The building is made of red sandstone in the style of medieval Gothic. The facade is decorated with biblical characters, while the interior is striking with unusual beauty and magnificent stained-glass windows.
  3. The Church of St. John the Baptist. Sebald. The oldest Lutheran church of the 13th century can hardly be distinguished at a cursory glance from its close historical “friend,” St. Joseph’s Church. Lorentz, they are so similar. The initial version of the building was erected in the Romanesque style, then transformed into Gothic, later – acquired some features of the Baroque. The sanctuary contains the remains of St. Sebald, the patron saint of Nuremberg. From the time of its construction until the mid-16th century, the main cemetery of the city was located around the temple.

Architectural sights of Nuremberg - Catholic churches

In Nuremberg there is the Church of St. Peter. The church of St. Xenia of Petersburg, which belongs to the Russian Orthodox Diocese.

Museums

Local museums attract, above all, the thematic diversity: there are specialized exhibition collections – historical, art, children’s, several museum reserves of scientific direction.

Of the nearly three dozen municipal and private collections in Nuremberg, the most interesting and popular among tourists are the following.

National Museum

National Museum in Nuremberg, Germany

The reserves hold more than 1 million. interesting exhibition items, among them:

  • the world’s first globe;
  • an amazing theatrical puppet collection;
  • The funny oval-shaped clock, nicknamed the “Nuremberg Eggs”;
  • collection of documents of the Third Reich.

The collection is considered the largest of its kind in all German-speaking countries.

Toy Museum

Children are always eager to enter a world full of toys at least once. In Altstadt, a three-story magic house fully occupied by toy residents grants their wish:

  • Floor 1 – simple figures made of wood;
  • 2nd floor – puppets;
  • Floor 3 – technical constructions, modern electronic marvels of technology. There is also a special room for games.

In total, there are almost 70 thousand exhibits in the showcases and vaults.

The House of Albrecht Dürer

Albrecht Dürer's House in Nuremberg

One of the most popular attractions of Nürgernberg – a four-story house in the half-timbered style, where in the early 16th century lived with his family, assistants and students German Leonardo da Vinci – artist, inventor, scientist of the Middle Ages, Albrecht Dürer.

In the world art community he is still considered the unsurpassed master of wooden engraving.

The Palace of Justice (the building where the Nuremberg Trials were held)

Here you can visit the hall where war criminals were tried, hear excerpts of speeches at the sessions (audio guide is working) – it leaves a heavy feeling from the visit.

Note how meticulously historical relics have been preserved for posterity: the walls are hung with photos of ALL the participants in the process, including the stenographers.

Fountains

Nuremberg sights can not be imagined without the fountains – about their originality, unusual themes, the beauty known far beyond the city.

“Spousal Carousel”

Nuremberg's scandalously famous fountain - the

The idea of the crowded composition around the “family” fountain was inspired by the works of Hans Sachs. Several scenes reflecting married life in all its diversity adorned Ludwigsplatz Square.

Goose Shepherd

In the Middle Ages, there was a marketplace at the site of the present-day Goose Spring. The elaborate sculpture once so captivated King Ludwig II of Bavaria that he ordered him to make a personal copy of the amusing monument.

“Instructive” source

“The Fountain of the Virtues” at the border of Lorenplatz Square was created as a reminder to city residents of the major virtues – Faith, Hope, Love, Courage, Patience, Abstinence. Each figure is cast in allegorical form: for example, Love – with children, Courage – with a lion. Crowning the structure is a figure of Justice, holding a scales and a sword.

Main city fountain

The main city fountain of Nuremberg

The Beautiful Fountain on Market Square, created by decree and personal sketches of King Charles IV, is considered the real king of local artificial springs. The structure, apart from its impressive beauty, had a practical purpose: to supply the city with clean water. If you believe the locals, anyone who touches the black wheel on its fence will have any wish come true.

One day in Nuremberg: a trip along the Historical Mile

One day in Nuremberg: a trip along the Historical Mile

In many tourist itineraries a visit to the city is planned as a one-day excursion. The Altstadt Urban Beauty Route was developed in 2005, called the “Historic Mile,” although the name does not reflect the length of the journey, and included 35 sites (stations).

The walk begins at a fragment of the city wall, built in the 14th century. The starting point is the tower of Our Lady, the end of the tour is at the Butcher’s Bridge.

The main sights of Nuremberg can be seen in one tour

In a few hours of walking tourists are impressed not only with the most famous sights of old Nuremberg, but also less famous, but interesting enough for the foreign visitor.

The list of stations is not insignificant, but it is unacceptable for a cultured person to leave them unattended:

  • Pilate’s house (15th century, the beginning of the suburban Way of the Cross, the symbolic beginning of Christ’s journey to Golgotha, nothing to do with Pontius Pilate);
  • Mauthalle (Chamber of Commerce, 15th century, formerly the largest grain storehouse);
  • Femblo House (16th c., now housing an exhibition of the Historical Museum);
  • City Hall (15th century, the dungeon contained death rows, access permitted only with a special guided tour);
  • Toucher Palace (15th century, the building has preserved the original housing of the medieval aristocratic elite);
  • Craftsmen’s courtyard (14th century, now housing stores and small cafes);
  • Hesperides Gardens (there are statues based on mythological stories);
  • Peller House (17th century, the greatest example of medieval architecture, killed by bombs during the war. Later restored, but only the first floor is historically accurate, the rest of the building is quite modern);
  • the cemetery of Sts. The St. John’s Church (recognized as the most beautiful national pogost, the magnificent epitaphs are striking in their elegance of style);
  • Shopkeepers’ lanes (14th and 15th centuries, several half-timbered houses, among which is the doll doctor’s workshop);
  • Seven Rows (dormitory for Swabian weavers invited to Nuremberg).

Thanks to the compact placement of the sights on the map of Nuremberg, you can see many interesting objects in a few hours. Monumental and very modest, intricate and simple, but always graceful and stylish, they will forever live in your heart, forcing you to return to the quiet old town at least in memory.

Nuremberg sights on the map

Video overview of the sights of Nuremberg

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