Nuremberg

One of the most authentic, storied German destinations, Nuremberg's picturesque old town, glorious half-timbered houses, and buzzing Christmas Market makes this city a time-true classic for history lovers. 

The beating heart of Nuremberg is its castle. The Kaiserberg, or the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg as it is more grandly known, is one of the greatest relics left from medieval times. In the middle ages, Nuremberg was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, and the castle was the meeting place of the Imperial Diet. Nuremberg would have felt like the center of the world as a procession of kings and emperors passed through the castle's great gates to hash out the political decisions of their day. You can practically feel the history through the castle walls. 

As its power was established early on, it is no surprise that when the German Renaissance came around, Nuremberg was quick to adapt to its new ideas. The 15th and 16th century was an illustrious, intellectual era for Nuremberg. Martin Luther called Nuremberg Germany's 'eyes and ears'. Albrecht Dürer, the great German master artist, was born here and embodied the beauty and skill of his age. Dürer's work is observant, principled, and precise, as close to mathematics as painting could ever get. When you tour Dürer's house, a marvelous half-timbered, five-storied building, old-world Nuremberg comes alive before your eyes. 

Sadly not all of Nuremberg's history is so venerable. In the 20th century, Nuremberg took a dark turn, becoming a gathering point for the German National Socialists. Slightly outside of town, you can still find the Nazi Party Rallying Grounds, where thousands of Hitler's supporters gathered during the rise of the Third Reich. Although partially in ruins, the grounds demonstrate the scope and terrifying scale of Nazism. A visit to the grounds is balanced against one to the Palace of Justice, the municipal courthouse where prominent Nazis were tried after the war in the infamous Nuremberg trials. If all this history gets too heavy, you can end the day with a glass of rotbier (red beer) and mull it over. 

The ideal gateway to old Bavaria, Nuremberg offers a primer in German history before you embark on the lovely journey through old Bavaria, known as the Romantic Road.