Nuremberg, Germany
Over the years I had passed through Nuremberg, Germany a number of times on the train, but had never stopped to check it out. On this trip I finally disembarked for an overnight visit and found out what I had been missing all those times before. Nuremberg is a historic city with a beautifully preserved, walled ‘old town’ (altstadt) that should not be missed. The main entrance to the old town is just a short walk from the train station and there are numerous hotels and pensions available there, accommodating a wide range of budgets. In a very short time I found a great little place called Pension Altstadt for the equivalent of $46 with shared bath, including a wonderful breakfast served in a quaint Fruhstuck Zimmer (breakfast room). It was great to be back in one of my favorite countries where the friendly people always make me feel at home.
An Awesome Rock Festival
As I arrived at the train station that afternoon, I was nearly trampled by hoards of young people who were leaving town after attending the ‘Rock im Park’ Festival held in Nuremberg the first week in June each year. I had noticed as the train approached the city center that every piece of open land, whether it was a park or an empty lot, seemed to have been the recent site of a makeshift campground. Abandoned tents and lawn chairs were everywhere and workers could be seen cleaning up after the revelers. It must have been an awesome rock festival! I was definitely going against the flow as I tried to get out of the train station, but I was soon at the gates of the old town, about to enter another world altogether. Situated on the Pegnitz River, Nuremberg dates back to the 11th century. There are many interesting sights to behold in this amazing Bavarian city, but two are essential for any student of history.
Terror
A short ride on Tram #9 from the train station will take you to the infamous stadium (1) where the Nazi rallies were held in the 1930’s. You can actually stand at the podium right where Hitler stood as he spoke to the assembled masses. It was an eerie feeling to stand at that podium, which I had seen in photos and movie clips so many times before, looking down at the same place where thousands of people once stood in formation as they listened to their fist pounding leader all those years ago. But this time, the stadium was filled with the camping debris left by the German youths of a new century who had just attended the Rock Festival. It was gratifying to see that the purpose of the stadium had changed so dramatically for the good in the interim.
And Justice
A brisk walk from the old town in the other direction will take you to the Palace of Justice (2) where, in Room 600 during the Nuremberg trials, justice was meted out to the high ranking Nazis who had delivered their diatribes from the nearby stadium and who had wreaked havoc on Europe before and during World War II. At the time of my visit the court room was not open to visitors while it was being readied for the 65th anniversary of the Nuremberg trials. You can be sure it will be at the top of my list on my next visit to this area. Someday I would also love to come for the annual Toy Fair held in February and for the Christmas Market held in the old town each December. And who knows, maybe I’ll come back just for the ‘Rock im Park’ festival one of these years!
