With over 500,000 inhabitants Nuremberg is the second largest city in Bavaria. It is centre for about 2.5 million people in the region. Nuremberg is one of Europe’s fastest growing exhibiton and fair cities. Yearly 1.2 million visitors attend about 50 fairs and congresses, amongst them the world’s greatest trade fair for toys.

Nuremberg was first mentioned in records in 1050. In the Middle Ages every German King had after his election to hold his first Reichstag in Nuremberg. The King‘s regalia were kept there. During the Third Reich Nuremberg played a special role from which a historical responsibility for the observance of human rights developed. Today Nuremberg has a „street of human rights“ as a memorial and Reich party convention area as centre of documentation. During the Second World War the city was severely destroyed by bombs. Today it presents itself as a successful combination of living past and modern present.

The old town of Nuremberg lies between old city walls. The stream Pegnitz flows through it. Northern of Pegnitz at the central market mountain, Burgberg begins. Highly on its top is situated castle Kaiserburg from which one has a nice view of Nuremberg. If you like to enjoy one of the regional specialities, many restaurants serve fine Nuremberg grilled sausage and tasty sweets as strudel.

One of the highlight in Nuremberg is the Christmas market – one of the world’s oldest ones. During Advent season the city centre changes into an enchanting small town of its own. Affectionately decorated booths of wood lure with traditional, mostly handicrafted Christmas decorations and sweet delicacies as gingerbread and special almond biscuits called Spekulatius.

More information: http://www.nuernberg.de/internet/portal_e/index.html

Photo: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock