©

Shutterstock

Nuremberg Castle -

Solid and austere, Nuremberg Castle dominates the city's Old Town skyline. One of Europe's most formidable medieval fortifications, the castle is in fact an ensemble of fortified buildings—the castle itself, a chapel, and a series of towers. This was the residence of all legitimate German kings and emperors from 1050 to 1571, and the castle today represents the power and the prestige once wielded by the Holy Roman Empire.

©

Shutterstock 

Sinwell Tower -

Built in the second half of the 13th century, the Sinwell Tower was the major keep of the castle. Its name derives from the Middle High German sinwell, which means "perfectly round." The top of the tower offers up some wonderful panoramic views.

©

Shutterstock 

Deep Well -

Another castle must-see is the Deep Well. Located in a small half-timbered well house in the middle of the courtyard, this was the castle's only source of water. Built in 1563, the well plummets to a depth of 50 m (164 ft).

©

Shutterstock 

Old Town -

The castle and most of the city's historic head-turners are sited within the Old Town (Altstadt), itself enclosed by an impressive circuit of ancient city walls.

©

Shutterstock 

City walls -

A series of footpaths follow Nuremberg's medieval city walls, many sections of which date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Following the circuit leads you to several gates and towers, most of which can be explored.

©

Shutterstock 

Medieval dungeons -

While you're in the area, you might want to divert underground to visit the medieval dungeons set near the walls under Lochgefängnisse, a former prison facility. Waiting to greet you are 12 tiny cells and a spooky torture chamber.

©

Shutterstock 

Henkerturm Tower -

The heavy boxlike Henkerturm Tower overlooking the Maxbrücke Bridge is also known as the "executioner's tower." Part of the city's western medieval fortifications, the tower stands alongside the 16th-century Henkerhaus, once the state executioner's residence. It's now a museum.

©

Shutterstock 

Hauptmarkt -

If the castle is the best way to glean an overall impression of Nuremberg, than the city's Haupmarkt (Market Square) is the ideal place from which to get your bearings. There's even a historic monument to gather round—the beautiful 14th-century Schöner Brunnen fountain and statue.

©

Shutterstock 

Frauenkirche -

Standing on the eastern side of the Haupmarkt is the Frauenkirche, the Church of Our Lady. This extraordinary Gothic building dates back to 1352 and features a stunning facade rich in decoration, the centerpiece of which is the 16th-century Männleinlaufen, a mechanical clock that commemorates the Golden Bull of 1356.

©

Getty Images 

Germanisches Nationalmuseum -

To get a better idea of Nuremberg's history and indeed the country's artistic and cultural heritage, spend an hour or so browsing the collections at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum. Rarities exhibited here include the Gumbertus Bible. Dated back to the 12th century, this is one of the most magnificent illuminated manuscripts of the High Middle Ages.

©

Getty Images 

Germanisches Nationalmuseum -

The museum has more than 1.3 million artifacts relating to the region's artistic and cultural heritage. Pictured is a viola d'amore, crafted in 1735 by Munich violin maker Caspar Stadler.

©

Getty Images 

Nuremberg Transport Museum -

The Nuremberg Transport Museum is an umbrella term for a number of museums showcasing Germany's public transport heritage. The Deutsche Bahn's DB Museum is especially engaging and shows you just how far railway transportation technology has progressed over the past 150 years or so.

©

Shutterstock 

Lorenzkirche -

You can't help but be in awe of the magnificent twin-towered 14th-century Lorenzkirche, or Church of St. Lawrence. Set above the western portal is an enormous rose window. It looks even more spectacular viewed from the interior, where other ecclesiastical treasures can be admired.

©

Getty Images 

Sebalduskirche -

However, if you only visit one church in Nuremberg make sure it's Sebalduskirche—St. Sebaldus. This medieval church is one of the city's most important, and one of the oldest. It takes its name from Sebaldus, an 8th-century hermit and missionary, and patron saint of Nuremberg

©

Shutterstock 

Tomb of St. Sebaldus -

Inside, a standout attraction is the famous tomb of St. Sebaldus from 1508, a masterpiece in bronze by Nuremberg-born sculptor Peter Vischer the Elder (1455–1529) and his sons.

©

Getty Images 

Albrecht Dürer's House -

Another famous former Nuremberg resident is the celebrated Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528). The house he lived in from 1509 until his death is now a museum.

©

Shutterstock 

Albrecht Dürer's House interior -

Dürer's vast body of work included engravings and woodcut prints made in his studio workshop, which has been carefully recreated as part of a museum. Period furniture lend the interior a truly authentic quality.

©

Getty Images 

Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds -

Nuremberg was the German city chosen by Adolf Hitler to host what became known as the Nuremberg rallies. The Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds—one of Germany's most important museums—chronicles the darkest chapter in German history with a fascinating exhibition housed in the excellent museum facility. The center is located in the north wing of the unfinished Reich Kongresshalle (Congress Hall), which was originally intended to host Nazi party rallies.

©

Shutterstock 

Reich Kongresshalle -

Building work on the Reich Kongresshalle began in 193,5 but was never completed due to the outbreak of the Second World War. This is the biggest preserved national socialist monumental building in the country, and is landmarked. The only reason it's still standing is because it was deemed too expensive to take down.

©

Shutterstock 

Zeppelinfeld -

Likewise, part of the grandstand at Zeppelinfeld where Hitler addressed the Nazi party faithful still remains because of the prohibitive costs involved were it to be demolished.

©

Shutterstock 

Memorium Nuremberg Trials -

Another point of interest related to this dark period of German history is Memorium Nuremberg Trials. World history was written in the courtroom of the Nuremberg Palace of Justice (pictured), where senior Nazi party officials were put on trial after the war. The memorial is located on the top floor of the courthouse.

©

Getty Images 

Frauentorturm -

The area around Frauentorturm in the Old Town is bristling with bars, restaurants, and artisan workshops. This is the perfect place to press pause and indulge in a bit of retail therapy before sitting down for a drink or a snack.

©

Shutterstock 

Nuremberg Toy Museum -

If you're sightseeing with kids, take them to the city's Toy Museum. This is one of the finest museums of its kind in the world and features displays of unique toys from different countries and periods. Worth noting is the medieval doll collection: many were actually made in Nuremberg, which for centuries was famous for its doll makers.

©

Getty Images 

Nuremberg Zoo -

The undoubted stars of the show at the fabulous Nuremberg Zoo are the Asiatic lions. An endangered species, the Asiatic lion is only found in the Indian state of Gujarat. Other magnificent beasts waiting to welcome you include tigers, lowland gorillas, and African buffalo.

©

Shutterstock 

Neues Museum Nürnberg -

This funky modern and contemporary art and design museum is famous for its winding black and white staircase. The spiral walkway, reminiscent of a modern snail shell, is a popular motif with Instagrammers. The facility houses an impressive collection of artworks covering the period from 1950 to the present day.

©

Getty Images 

Stadtmuseum im Fembo-Haus -

Known in the English language as the City Museum at Fembo House, this is where to catch up on life in Nuremberg and its residents over the centuries. It's worth investigating for the building alone, a superb example of a late Renaissance merchant house and the only one still standing in the city.

©

Shutterstock 

Pegnitz -

The river flowing through Nuremberg is the Pegnitz. Numerous bridges and footbridges cross the river, such as the Renaissance Fleischbrücke (1598) and the iron suspension bridge known as Chain Bridge (Kettensteg), dating from 1824.

©

Shutterstock 

Schloss Erlangen -

Less than half an hour north of Nuremberg is the attractive university city of Erlangen. The destination's most notable building is the Schloss Erlangen, built in 1704 and occupied since 1825 by Friedrich Alexander University. Erlangen makes for a pleasant excursion and is known for the Bergkirchweih, an annual beer festival similar to the Oktoberfest in Munich but smaller in scale.

©

Shutterstock 

Nuremberg in winter -

After snowfall, Nuremberg is transformed into a winter wonderland and looks oh so romantic. Pictured is the castle seen as if dusted with icing sugar.

©

Getty Images 

Nuremberg Christmas market -

Every year Nuremberg hosts arguably Germany's most famous Christmas market. It unfolds in Hauptmarkt from the last week in November to December 24, as it has done since 1628. 

Sources: (Britannia) (International Coalition of Sites of Conscience) (National Geographic)

See also: Delightful destinations in Germany

©

Getty Images