The Southern German city of Nuremberg will always be associated with two historical events - the Nazi party rallies held on the Zeppelinwiese, and the post-war Nuremberg trials. These events definitely should be remembered, but there is more to the history of this city. Nürnberg, as Nuremberg is called in German, used to be a "Freie Reichsstadt" (Free Imperial City) during the time of the Holy Roman Empire and became part of Bavaria in the early 19th century. It had been a major trading center for centuries, and the wealthy merchant families became great patrons of the arts.
The main tourist attractions in Nuremberg are: 1. The Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg) with its splendid collection of medieval arms and armor. 2. The Albrecht-Dürer-Haus dedicated to the city's most famous son, the great painter (though most of his major works can be found elsewhere, such as in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum or Munich's Alte Pinakothek). 3. The Germanisches Nationalmuseum with its enormous collections of paintings, sculpture, domestic furnishings and historical musical instruments, with a focus on the Middle Ages.
4 The German Railway Museum (after all, the first German railway ran from Nuremberg to nearby Fürth). 5. The Spielzeugmuseum der Stadt Nürnberg (Toy Museum) - Nuremberg has always been famous for its toy industry and still hosts the annual German Toy Fair. If you come in December, you should definitely visit the Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market) and experience the wonderful sights, as well as the smell and taste of Lebkuchen (a kind of gingerbread) and Glühwein (hot mulled wine) while shopping for traditional ornaments. Also, try out the local specialty - Nuremberg bratwurst.
These sausages are tiny (about the size of your pinky), so you order them by the dozen or more, with Sauerkraut on the side. .
By: Pamela Bruce
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