A Medieval Fortress That's a Tale of Two Cities
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By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life November, 2019. Our tour destination today is Nuremberg, a city that served a key role in the days of the Holy Roman Empire, as well as the second World War. Vantage gave us the option of two tours -- one that focuses on its medieval history, and another on its role in the war, including the Nuremberg trials. Pam and I opt for the former, which includes a visit to the Nuremberg Castle and free time to explore the historic old town, a marketplace of shops, restaurants and Germany's largest Christmas market. Let's go! |
Photos by North Palm Beach Life
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We start at the site of Congress Hall, left unfinished by the Nazis and adjacent to the Nazi parade grounds. It was designed to hold 50,000 and is modeled after the Colosseum in Rome. Among the many buildings the Nazi Party planned here, one was a stadium which would hold 400,000 people. |
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Nuremberg Castle overlooks the city, as it has for hundreds of years. Its defenses, that were never breached, included openings in the ceiling of castle tunnels where defenders could hurl down objects on would-be invaders.
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The view of Nuremberg from the castle
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Our tour guide tells about Nuremberg-born artist Albrecht Dürer, reknowned painter and printmaker, while showing us one of his illustrations. Above is the historic church of St. Lorenz, completed in 1400. Damaged during World War II, it has been restored, as have many of the buildings in the city. |
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The tour over, we are on our own for lunch. We decide on Bratwursthause, where we get the sausages for which Nuremberg is famous. They smoke them right in the middle of the restaurant. Add some potatoes, sauerkraut and German beer, and you're all set! |
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Scenes from the Old Town area, including Pam with her legendary flamingo bag.
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Left: On the trip back to Ms River Splendor, even the fabled Autobahn is subject to construction backups. But we got clear and on our way, right. |
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