Excursion to Nuremberg (by train)

The first mention of Nuremberg dates back to 1050. In 1219, it became a free imperial city. In the XIV-XV centuries, Nuremberg became a major center of crafts and trade and played a significant role in the intermediary trade between South Germany and Italy. In the XVI century it is considered one of the centers of German humanism. Nuremberg is the birthplace of A. Dürer and G. Sachs, humanists W. Pirkheimer, F. Melanchthon and others worked here. Nuremberg was the first imperial city to join the Reformation in 1524. With the movement of trade routes in the XVI century began economic decline. In 1806, Nuremberg became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria.

In the nineteenth century, especially after the construction of the first German railway Nuremberg-Fürt (1835), the city became one of the main economic centers of Bavaria. During the years of fascism, Nazi Party congresses took place here. After the defeat of fascism in 1945-46, the trial of the main Nazi war criminals (the Nuremberg trials) took place in Nuremberg. Today, Nuremberg is Bavaria’s second city, both in terms of population and importance in economics and culture.

Among the sights of Nuremberg, it is impossible not to mention the Kaiserburg fortress, built on a rock by Henry III in 1050. From here all kings and Kaisers ruled from 1050 to 1571. There were also all sorts of court, palace and state meetings. The castle is surrounded by a 5 km city wall with 80 towers.

The Gothic churches of the old city are witnesses to the medieval grandeur of Nuremberg. The Frauenkirche Church (1352–1361) is famous for its fifteenth-century altarpiece and one of Nuremberg’s most interesting works, the clock with “dancing figures” (1509). In the church of St. Lorenz is the painting “Annunciation” by Faith Stos. St. John's. Zebald is the main work of Adam Kraft - the tombstone of the Schreier-Landauersche Grabmal (1492). Inside the church, the Madonna in the Wreath of Rays (1420-1425) deserves special attention.

We will see the house where one of the greatest German artists Albrecht Dürer lived from 1509 until his death. The modern sculptor put in front of the artist’s house a bronze monument to Durer’s beloved animal – a hare looking at this world with longing.

Nuremberg has excellent cuisine. When city restaurants order a dish called "Drei im Weckla," they mean a bun stuffed with three small fried sausages. They are so tasty that even some vegetarians are said to change their principles in order not to miss the pleasure. The usual and beloved Nuremberg sausage is usually served with sour cabbage and horseradish.