Germany - Pt 2

Having visited Nuremberg once before (Xmas markets in 2006), it was great to be able to wander around familiar places. The following pic shows the walls surrounding the Old Town.

One of Gail's favourite areas is the Handwerkerhof, the craftsmen's courtyard near one of the huge gates in the city wall, the Konigstor. The narrow lanes are full of tempting little shops (and Gail supported the local economy enthusiastically).

The southern part of the Old Town is dominated by the huge Lorenzkirche, the largest and most beautiful Gothic church in Nuremberg.

German cities have their own sausage specialty. On Lorenzerplatz, the square in front of the church, we found a stall selling the famous Nurnberger sausages. We bought "drei im Weckla" (3 little sausages in a bread roll) for lunch.

The Pegnitz River runs through the centre of Nuremberg's Old Town. A very picturesque spot on the river is the Weinstadel (former wine depot) and Henkersteg (Hangman's Bridge).

The Hauptmarket (Main Market Square) is the setting for the town's most famous Xmas market. This time there was just a food market there. Nuremberg's star attraction is on this square - the Gothic Schoner Brunnen (a beautiful artesian well fountain). The present one is a replica of the original constructed in the 14th century. Also on the Hauptmarkt is the Frauenkirche, a Gothic hall-church. Its gable contains a clock with figures that move, called the Mannleinlaufen (meaning "little men running"). See pics below.

The northern part of the Old Town leads up to the castle, which overlooks the town. The pic below shows the view of the town over the rooftops.

Albrecht Durer (one of the most outstanding painters of the Renaissance) was born in Nuremberg. The timber framed house he lived in is just below the castle.

In the Middle Ages, houses did not have numbers. Instead, figures or symbols were mounted on outside walls. On the house below (called Pilatushaus), St George and the dragon indicated an armourer lived there.

Many medieval buildings have a choir on them, which originally was a family chapel. The pic shows the Sebaldus Chorlein (Sebaldus' little choir) on the rectory of St Sebaldus' Church.

Also we came across many sundials on buildings, like the example on the Nassauerhaus below.

Unlike our first visit to Nuremberg in winter, this time we arrived during a rare heatwave. So a visit to a gelateria was a must, after a hard day of sightseeing.

Next update covers more of Germany.