Nuremberg – a Diverse Art and Cultural Landscape

Surrounded by an imposing, almost entirely preserved city wall, Nuremberg is dominated by the many historic buildings in the Old Town. Above the red-tiled rooftops and the city‘s most important churches rises the medieval Kaiserburg, the landmark imperial castle, on the sandstone ridge. The Hauptmarkt market square is home to the Schöne Brunnen fountain and the Gothic Frauenkirche church with its famous 14th century Männleinlaufen mechanical clock and moving mechanical figures.    By Helen Cleary

Culturally, Nuremberg has a lot to offer: whether theatre, opera or rock, sacred music or the multicultural Bardentreffen open-air music festival, there is something for everyone. The museum landscape is also diverse: the Stadtmuseum takes visitors through the city‘s history from its rapid rise to one of the great European centres for politics, trade and art in the Renaissance to its reconstruction after the Second World War.

The collections in the Neues Museum exhibit international art and design since 1945. The Germanisches Nationalmuseum houses the Behaim Globe, the oldest surviving terrestrial globe, one of the last cartographic works that depicted the world as it was known in Europe before Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. Travel through the epochs of German railway history in the DB Museum. The Toy Museum is a paradise for the young and young at heart.

The Albrecht Dürer house below the Kaiserburg gives an insight into the life and work of the painter, graphic artist and art theorist Albrecht Dürer (1471- 1528). More than twenty historic craftsmen‘s houses have survived the Second World War unscathed in the Weißgerbergasse. Today, these half-timbered houses are small shops and craft businesses as well as inviting cafés and bars.

The city’s culinary delights include „Schäufele“ made from pork shoulder, gingerbread, red beer brewed since the Middle Ages and Ayrer‘s Single Malt Whisky from the Altstadthof distillery.

Hop on a VAG bus No. 36 to discover thirty-six of the most interesting sights which are just a short walking distance from the stop stations or enjoy a sightseeing tour on one of VAG’s heritage trams and learn many interesting facts from members of the Nuremberg Tour Guide Association.