There is more to Nuremberg than just the Nazi history. In fact, in the heart of the city is the charming Altstadt (old town). It was just a short stroll from our hotel so we squeezed in a quick tour before getting on the train toward home.
The building below is an old granary. Grain was stored in the attic behind all those cute little dormer windows to ensure residents would have enough food in case of famine or siege. Now it’s home to a beer hall.
These are the doors to the St. Lawrence Church, a once-Catholic, now Protestant church.
The building over the water was the Holy Ghost Hospital, donated to the city in the 14th century by a very rich resident.
I’ve never been one to understand art…not gonna start now.
The Frauenkirche is a former synagogue. Long ago, Jewish residents were required to live in a separate area close to the river and outside the city walls. Charles IV, the most powerful man in Europe at the time, allowed his subjects to force out the Jews and six hundred were killed in the process. A somber reminder that anti-Semitism predated the Nazis.
We got to see a Karnival parade in the Hauptmarkt. Too much cuteness.
At the top of the hill is the Imperial Castle – the one that Hitler’s Great Road points toward. Holy Roman Emperors stayed here in the Middle Ages.
The castle complex was huge, something like 45 buildings in all.
They had the cutest little doors everywhere. And hills. Lots of hills. I was sore for two days. Buns of steel.
This wraps up our trip to Neuremberg. I highly recommend you visit this historical hot spot when you come to Germany. It’s an easy day trip from Munich, Würzburg, or Rothenburg and you won’t be sorry.
Our train ride home was incredibly eventful. Our poor little man came down with a stomach bug and lost his cookies multiple times (mostly all over me…yay). I felt so sorry for him, I actually cried. I know what you might be thinking, but hey, if you’re a mom you get it. It was unfortunate turn of events, but everyone around was so sympathetic and understanding. Several even offered to help us clean up. It was a rough ride, but lots of mama snuggles made it (a little bit) better.