Nuremburg - a Diametrical Tale of Two Cities

 October 2, 2025 


When the name Nuremberg comes up, you cannot escape the WWII history associated with this place. The city's motto today is "City of Peace and Human Rights" which stands in direct contrast to its dark history some 80 years ago.  The city is particularly committed to this motto today.  




Before the war, it was one of Hitler’s favorite places.   It was host to massive rallies for the German people to rally behind their newfound leader.  These rallies, from 1933 to 1938, were put on to demonstrate the power, unity and control held by the Nazi party over the German people as well as the rest of the world.  There was one more rally planned and it was to be called the Rally of Peace, but Germany invaded Poland before the Rally went off and thus the Rally of Peace was cancelled.  Today these Rally fields are still around and are a protected historical monument and open to the people. This is also true of the Documentation Center which is now a museum.



Site of rally field in Nuremberg

Strange, but true:
One of the Nazis' rally ground buildings is now a Burger King

After the war, the Allied forces held court in Nuremberg to bring charges to high level German officers to hold them accountable for the war crimes committed. Located in the Palace of Justice, Courtroom 600 was the site of the Military Tribunal. In all, 22 men were brought to trial.  19 of the 22 were convicted.  12 were sentenced to death.  7 were sentenced to prison and 3 were acquitted.

Nuremberg Trials building today - Palace of Justice
(borrowed from war-documentary.info)
 
Nuremberg Central Station (circa 1847)

But the history of Nuremberg is more than Courtroom 600.  Like most European cities, its history starts back in the 11th century when the Roman Emperor Henry III built a castle.  A settlement grew around the castle and during the Renaissance era it became a hub for the arts.  

Nuremburg Castle

Our guide, Ruth, originally from Minnesota
but has lived and raised her family in Germany

LeRoy on the castle grounds

View from atop the castle hill

very Bavarian view on castle grounds

Nuremberg adopted the Lutheran Protestant Reformation around 1524.  Today, Nuremberg has an active Old Town area where a lot of the old castle remains or has been reconstructed or preserved. 

St. Sebald's Church, a Catholic church
with a Lutheran congregation!

Frauenkirche, Church of Our Lady

Schoner Brunnen, 
Nuremberg's most beautiful fountain


Today, they had a large market (The Hauptmarkt) going on in the main square.  Lots of gingerbreads and beer steins to be had.  I think it was the day before the national holiday of Germany Reunification Day so the people were all out having a good time.  Our Viking friends were having fun, too!

Now thats a pretzel !

delicious Wicklein gingerbread,
we had three!!!

Lots of Wursts!

"how do you like this one?"


All in all, another good day in Germany.  Walking the cobblestone streets of Nuremberg was surreal.  Knowing the history and feeling all the feelings is something none of us will ever forget.  Bamberg tomorrow.  See you soon or as they say in German, "Bis bald."





LeRoy and Vialula

Location: 90 Nuremberg, Germany

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