Nuremberg

Nuremberg is one of the first cities that are visited by tourists who stay in Munich. In the Middle Ages it was one of the largest cities in Europe. Nuremberg was probably founded around the turn of the 11th century, according to the first documentary mention of the city in 1050. From 1050 to 1571, the city expanded and rose dramatically in importance due to its location on key trade routes. Nuremberg is often referred to as having been the "unofficial capital" of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1219, Frederick II granted the Großen Freiheitsbrief (Great Letter of Freedom), including town rights, Reichsfreiheit (or Imperial immediacy), the privilege to mint coins and an independent customs policy, almost wholly removing the city from the purview of the burgraves.

The largest gains for Nuremberg were in the 14th century; including Charles IV's Golden Bull of 1356 that named Nuremberg as the city where newly-elected kings of Germany must hold their first Reichstag and made Nuremberg one of the three most important cities of the Empire.

Peter Henlein invented the pocket watch in Nuremberg, and Martin Behaim invented the globe. One of the most famous natives of Nuremberg is Albrecht Dürer, a well-known artist of early modern times. A street, a square, a beer hall, a pharmacy and a gymnasium were named after Dürer.

The city is known for Nuremberg sausages (Bratwürstchen) and used to be Adolf Hitler's favorite city. The Fuhrer held Nazi parades and party congresses here. The famous Nuremberg tribunal was held here in 1945-1946.

The old part of the city was destroyed during the war, but the most important historical buildings have been restored. For example, the city wall, which is the longest of the existing walls in Central Europe.

Market Square is the heart of the city.






The main attraction is the Burg Castle, which is located on a hill in the downtown. All tourist routes lead to it. A great view of the old city opens from the fortress walls. 






If you go down from the castle to the Tirgertnertorplats Square, you will find the most unusual sculpture of the city, Nuremberg Hare. The sculpture is terrifying, its creator Juergen Hertz wanted to show what will happen to people if they continue to be an enemy to a nature. Nearby is a small hare, a prototype of which was the famous bunny from Dürer's painting "The Young Hare".








In Nuremberg exists a nice tourist route Historic Mile that was laid through the most important historic sites of the medieval old city. The route appeared in 2000 to commemorate the 950th anniversary. Here you can see the map of the route and download description (PDF).

Map of the old city of Nuremberg
Nuremberg in 1493
















Getting there: By regional train from Munich (1 hour 42 minutes).