Famously known for its Nazi war crime trials and gingerbread (lebkuchen), Nuremberg is a city that was painstakingly rebuilt after severe WWII bombings virtually flattened it to the ground. Now boasting much of its former medieval glory, the one-time hub of the Third Reich attracts visitors from around the globe who come to experience its architectural masterpieces, fantastic museums, rich history and culinary delights.
Visitors primarily stay in the Old Town (Altstadt) where the majority of the city’s lodgings and attractions such as the Frauenkirche and Hauptmarkt are situated. The choice here is excellent, with most establishments falling into the moderate to upper price bracket depending on their facilities and convenient access to shopping and the city’s highlights. There are a handful of upmarket hotels around the Hauptbahnhof including the deluxe Meridian, while other popular districts such as Nordstadt and Gostenhof also have limited accommodation options.
If you plan to visit during the high season or any of the city’s festivals, booking in advance is essential. While hotel rooms can usually be found on-the-spot at other times of the year, pre-booking will normally ensure a discount. The service in Nuremberg hotels is normally excellent and rooms are clean and comfortable. Some of the less modern establishments may have dated furniture, but the price will reflect this.
Nuremberg is a city that offers 24-hour entertainment, with most visitors thoroughly enjoying a taste of Germanic nightlife at one of the tavernas, where you can gorge on sauerkraut and herb-infused sausages while sipping on some delicious local beers. The dining scene here is one of the highlights and gastronomes will not be disappointed with the locals and international fare on offer. Those into music will find a good range of after-hours options too.
As is typical of Germany, public transport runs like clockwork, ensuring the punctual residents always get there on time. With getting around made easy by the U-Bahn and the pedestrianised Altstadt, visitors can keep cross city travel costs down to a minimum. Sunday’s can bring things to a halt in some districts of Nuremberg, with many shops and businesses closing for the day as well as limited transport services.
Travel to Germany presents very little in the way of threats to your safety or health and few visitors experience any problems during their stay. Residents of the city are tolerant and friendly towards visitors and will assist you in finding your way around should you need help; an English-speaking German is never far away.
The city of Nuremberg gained stature in the period 1050 to 1571, when the city underwent expansion and became a significant stop-off on a number of key trade routes, particularly routes from Italy to Northern Europe. Significant meetings in the city, such as those of the Reichstag at Nuremberg Castle, helped the city to become the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Emperor.
In 1219, Frederick II became the emperor of Nuremberg, now ranking as an Imperial Free City. It was in this period that Nuremberg developed the Iron Maiden, a sinister torture device that became connected with the city.
Religious strife in 1298 led to the execution of nearly 700 Jews, who were accused of dishonouring the emperor. However, there was a hidden motive behind the Rintfleisch Massacres to remove the Jews from their settlement, the land of which was prime development area for the city. Once the Jews were displaced, the area became the centre of Nuremberg and the City Market, Church of Our Lady and City Hall were built.
Nuremberg was at the centre of the German Renaissance movement in the 15th and 16th centuries. Significant events during this period include the Reformation in 1525 and Peace of Nuremberg treaty, signed in 1532 awarding the Lutherans significant concessions.
The 17th century saw the city decline with the arrival of conflict in the form of the Thirty Years' War and the Siege of Nuremberg in 1632. After the war, Nuremberg was not to fully recover until the 19th century industrial boom, before which it found itself virtually bankrupt.
The dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806 saw the city fall under Bavarian control. In 1806, with the Holy Roman Empire formally being dissolved, Nuremberg passed to Bavaria and the city’s debts were annulled.
It is perhaps the Nazi period that Nuremberg is most known for, with its central position having served as a base for Nazi conventions known as the Nuremberg Rallies, held from 1927 to 1938. These huge events made Nuremberg a breeding ground for anti-Semitism policies which culminated in the Reichstag passing the Nuremberg Laws which withdrew German citizenship for all Jews. Nazi architecture from Hitler’s height of power can still be seen in the city today.
The city’s industrialisation during WWII made it a primary supplier of aircraft, tanks, submarines and other military necessities, while also making it a target for Allied bombings, with the city sustaining heavy damage from 1943 to 1945. The worst destruction was in 1945, when 90 per cent of the city was destroyed and thousands were killed in air raids.
After the war, rebuilding began and much of the city regained its pre-war appearance with significant medieval buildings being reconstructed. The Nuremberg Trials were hosted here from 1945 and 1949, with many German officials being charged with war crimes.
Located in the southern state of Bavaria, Nuremberg experiences variable weather from year to year, making it hard to predict when a good time to visit is. Whenever you choose to come, it is best to come prepared for rain, with showers common throughout the year.
Chilly winters with frost and snowfall are common. How long the snow settles for varies, with some year’s experiencing prolonged frost. Cold winds blow in from the east, while the city’s distance from the sea and higher altitude also ensures cooler winter temperatures than in the north of Germany.
Summers are normally warm with sunshine interspersed with occasional showers and thunder storms. Spring and autumn are also wet, but clear and sunny days are experienced in both seasons. The ideal time to visit Nuremberg is in the summer months, when you are guaranteed the most sunshine, but even in summer it is wise to pack some warm clothes and an umbrella.
The hotel is very easily accessible both from the station and the centre of town. It is very pleasant to be able to pop down to the Irish pub beneath the hotel. The rooms are spacious and pleasantly f...
