Nuremberg, Germany

 Sunday, November 10, 2024

One of the first sights to greet us as we rolled into town on this chilly Sunday morning was this memorial flag display at the museum for the Nuremberg trials.  I had opted for the tour included with the cruise, rather than an upgraded one, so this was as close as we would go to this sobering place.  Here, in post WWII, leaders of the Nazi party were brought to justice and made to answer for their horrific crimes against humanity, and especially the Jews.

Below, Steintribune, the massive stadium where the Nazi rallies took place between 1933 and 1938.

As I looked back over my pictures, I noted that there were many of walls and towers.  That makes sense as old Nuremberg is still surrounded by the city wall whose construction was begun in the twelfth century.  At one point there were 168 towers that were instrumental in the defense of the city.  Today there are 71 remaining that are used in a variety of ways, from event venues to apartments.  

The four most notable towers are the massive round ones at the city gates named Laufer Tor Tower, Frauentor Tower, Spittletor Tower, and Neutor Tower.  The thickness of the wall near the gates is its maximum, at around sixteen feet.  Originally many of the towers were square, but they made for handy cannon targets so in the sixteenth century they were modified to their current cylindrical shape, with little flat surface for a cannonball to connect with.

Dominating the historical center of Nuremberg is the Imperial Castle.  Together with its city walls, it was considered to be one of the most impenetrable medieval fortifications.  

 

Walking through one of the entrance tunnels, our guide pointed out the openings in the ceiling.  These were not to allow in more natural light, but an opportune place to pour various liquids on the heads of hapless intruders.

There was quite a view from the castle hill.  Tall, narrow homes, shops and apartments stood shoulder to shoulder, and the spires of churches and cathedrals shot up into the hazy sky.

As it was Sunday, all the shops were closed, so during our free time after the bus tour was over, I walked around with my friends Julie and Robin.  We used the opportunity to get photos of one another, as well as appreciate the various churches, cathedrals and views of the river from the many bridges.  It was kind of nice not to have the temptation of wasting time in the shops.

Signs of the upcoming Christmas market can be seen in the photos below.  The little pop-up shops would be opening all over Europe, like little fairytale villages.

These excursions often have felt like a whole day, but in actuality, we were back on the ship in time for a late lunch.  In the afternoon I once again had that glorious swimming pool all to myself.  Then back in my room, I whiled away much of the afternoon doing some laundry in the miniscule bathroom sink.  As my cabin is not a solo one, there are towel sets for two, which gives me an ample amount to remove the majority of the moisture from my clothes by rolling them tightly in a towel.  Then, draped over the two chairs by the window, and clipped to hangers in the closet, they quickly finish drying.