Top 20 Nuremberg Attractions, Germany

The most "German" of all cities in Germany - Nuremberg, has seen many important historical events in its lifetime. Unfortunately, the first thing that comes to mind is the triumph of the Third Reich, the Nazi military marches and the devastating Nuremberg trials. The city was favored by Hitler, here he planned to build a grandiose architectural complex for the needs of his party.

But there is another Nuremberg, in which tourists admire the medieval streets of the Old Town, the flying spiers of the magnificent Frauenkirche (a little embarrassing that it was built on the site of a burned synagogue), centuries-old traditions of the city's craft associations and hearty Franconian cuisine. For the convenience of Nuremberg guests, a special tourist route has even been created that covers all important sights.

What to see and where to go in Nuremberg?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Nuremberg fortress

A unique monument of medieval architecture located in the Old Town. There is an observation deck on the watchtower of the castle, from where panoramic views of Nuremberg and the surrounding area open. The fortress was built in the XII century. It consists of the imperial castle, the fortress of the burggrave and the city fortress. The complex is protected by thick walls, which were able to repel the strongest onslaught.

Market Square

The square arose in the 14th century on the site of the Jewish ghetto. In 1349, on St. Nicholas Day, hundreds of people were burned here. The place is decorated with a picturesque gilded fountain in the form of a spire. This structure was really supposed to become the spire of the city church, but due to lack of funds, it was erected in the middle of the Market Square. On Christmas Eve, festive fairs open here, and the surrounding houses are decorated with bright garlands.

Nuremberg Historical Mile

A tourist route organized and equipped by the city authorities especially for the guests of Nuremberg. The "Historic Mile" passes through all the significant sights, it is equipped with tips and signs that help tourists navigate the area and not miss anything of interest. The route starts at the tower of the Mother of God and ends at the Meat Bridge.

Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche)

The Catholic Church on the Market Square, erected on the site of a Jewish synagogue in the middle of the XIV century. The structure retained its original appearance until the Second World War. After the bombing, only the walls and facade remained. The church was reconstructed in 1946-53. The building is designed in the flying German Gothic style, the front facade is decorated with a historical clock from the beginning of the 16th century, inside there is an altar from the middle of the 15th century.

Church of St Lawrence

Lutheran temple, which was one of the first to adopt the new church teaching of M. Luther. There is evidence of the construction of the church in the XIII century, but the building of the XV century model has survived to this day. Church of St. Lawrence is built in the Gothic style, it is considered the most beautiful temple in Nuremberg. The interiors were painted by local artists A. Kraft, P. Fischer and F. Stoss. The building was seriously reconstructed after World War II.

Church of Saint Sebald

Another magnificent Gothic temple of the XIII century, which adorns the architecture of Nuremberg. The church was named after the hermit and pious missionary Saint Sebald, the patron saint of the city. The temple was erected by supporters of the Lutheran doctrine. Until 1945, the interior was decorated with a unique organ of the 15th century, which was played by the composer J. Pachelbel. As a result of the destruction, the instrument was lost and replaced with a new one in 1975.

Albrecht Dürer House Museum

Home of the famous 15th-century Nuremberg xylographer, who made an invaluable contribution to Western European art during the Renaissance. A. Durer owned the building until 1528, after which it changed owners many times. The museum was organized at the end of the 19th century. He managed to avoid serious destruction during the war, so today visitors can see the original historical setting.

German National Museum

The largest museum in Germany, founded in the middle of the 19th century within the walls of a former monastery. The museum funds contain more than 1.2 million exhibits belonging to various eras - from the Stone Age to the present day. Paintings, sculptures, tools, musical instruments, antique globes and clocks, weapons, scientific instruments, applied arts and much more are stored here.

Toy Museum

The museum is housed in a three-story building from the early 16th century. The basis of the exposition is the private collection of the Bayer family. Baked clay dolls began to be produced in Nuremberg as early as the 14th century; in the 17th century, local craftsmen invented dollhouses, which subsequently gained wild popularity among children. The museum's collection contains about 65 thousand items, including old samples and modern inventions of the "toy" industry.

Palace of Justice

The famous building where the Nuremberg trials were held in 1946 against the leaders of Nazi Germany. The palace was built at the beginning of the 20th century. It was not chosen by chance for the trial of Hitler's associates - regular congresses of the Nazi party were held here. Nuremberg at one time was even called "the city of congresses of the party of the Third Reich." Hall No. 600, where the historical process took place, has been open to the public since 2000.

Holy Spirit Hospital

The institution has been operating since the XIV century and is considered one of the oldest hospitals in Europe. It now houses a nursing home. In past centuries, the hospital also served as an asylum for lepers. The building is located in the Old Town, it is surrounded by a very picturesque landscape. Medieval building stands right on the water among lush vegetation.

House of Nassau

Medieval tower of the 12th century, which is considered the oldest building in Nuremberg. The upper tiers were erected later - in the 15th century. The architects of the building took the residential towers of Italy as a model for their project. In those distant centuries, the urban aristocracy lived in such houses. The building belonged to various families, the last owners were representatives of the Schlusselfelder family.

Mauthalle building

The construction of the end of the XV century, erected according to the project of G. Beheim. Previously, there was a customs office and a warehouse on its territory. The modern Mauthalle building was restored after almost total destruction during the Second World War. Today, the premises are rented by commercial organizations, in the basement there is a restaurant "Barfusser", which serves Franconian cuisine.

Tucherschloss Castle

An ancestral castle of the noble Tuher family, which was used as a summer residence. The building was erected in the middle of the 16th century; its architecture reveals the features of German Gothic, French and Italian Renaissance. The castle still belongs to the descendants of the Tuher family, but there is a public museum on its territory, where antiques, paintings, precious dishes and other attributes of high society are exhibited.

Territory of the NSDAP congresses

During the Third Reich, Nuremberg was almost the favorite city of Hitler and his party associates. NSDAP congresses were constantly held here, Nazi detachments marched through the squares, the streets were hung with red flags with a black swastika. There is a whole area in Nuremberg (Dutzendteich Park), which was specially rebuilt for the needs of the NSDAP, it was called the "Territory of the Imperial Party Congresses." The monuments and artefacts of the area will tell a lot about Hitler's incredible ambitions.

Nazi Party Documentation Center

Archive of the Nazi Party, which is located in the monumental building of the Assembly Hall. The construction was erected by order of A. Hitler, but they could not fully implement the project. The funds of the center contain unique printed, photo and video materials, eyewitness accounts. Here you can see the book "Mein Kampf" and get acquainted with its contents. The architecture and interior of the building make a gloomy and depressing impression on tourists.

Fountain "Marriage Carousel"

Fountain built in 1984, located on Ludwigplatz. Its author, J. Weber, embodied in the sculptural group ideas about the light and dark sides of family life (based on the poem by H. Zags "Bittersweet Marriage Life"). Among the public for a long time there were disputes about the acceptability of some parts of the composition and the "decency" of their placement in a public place.

"Beautiful" fountain

The most famous city fountain, located on the central Market Square. It is believed that this was a dome for the Frauenkirche church, but the authorities simply did not have enough money to install it on top of the temple, so the structure remained on the ground. The fountain was built in the 14th century. The drawing of Kaiser Charles IV was taken as a basis. For medieval Nuremberg, this was a great event, because after the construction of the fountain, residents could get access to clean water.

Nuremberg Zoo

The Nuremberg Zoo is as solid and technically equipped as the rest of the zoos in Germany. According to the established tradition, animals are kept here in natural conditions and provide them with the most comfortable existence (as far as it is generally possible in captivity). The zoo has a dolphinarium. For the convenience of visitors, a huge free parking lot for almost 2,000 places has been organized.

City Park

A small cozy park, a place for a relaxing holiday, meetings, walks and contemplation of nature. The fountain "Neptune" is installed on its territory, which is a copy of the fountain in Peterhof. The fact is that the original was originally located in Nuremberg, but was bought from the city by Paul I. The authorities decided to make a copy and place it on the market square. In the 60s. In the 20th century, the building was moved to the city park.