"Historic and friendly" a Nürnberg Travel Page by Sjalen

Nürnberg had never featured at the top of my list of European destinations. Sure, I wanted to see Bavaria, but was Bamberg not the place of interest in Franconia? Nürnberg just conjured up thoughts of wartime trials and bombed cityscapes in my mind, and I had visits to very modern Cologne and Mainz in fresh memory.

Then as we planned our trip to München, I thought we should split our week between it and somewhere else, and started to read my Germany book. This is when I first realised that Nürnberg had the potential of satisfying the entire family for more than a week on its own! So after München, we spent three lovely days in Nürnberg and I can only say I would love to go again.

Nürnberg's Old Town was 90% bombed during WWII, and here and there in the city, you get to see old pictures from those days. It is therefore even more remarkable to wander around and see what it looks like today. Sure, there are pockets of modern housing here and there, but most of it is built in a sympathetic style, agreeing with the surroundings. The one exception maybe only the famous Market Place. The place in Germany to be in December.

Everywhere you go, you see old buildings in the characteristic red sandstone that I now associate with the city. That, and the typical towers along the city wall.

Wandering around the city, you will find memories of the dark years running up to the war too, but that is what makes this city so fascinating, it has parts of history both good and bad, and it LIVES with it. The people of the city are very friendly and I don't think any city has enlightened me so in a long time. Simply so much to see and learn from, whether it be the nazi Congress building, or the early philisophies of Dürer.