Explore the fascinating history of railways, right from their invention in 1919. Not only does the museum cover the transformation of trains from simple, coal and steam locomotives to the modern trains now but one can even see the impact trains made on various aspects of society including political, economical and cultural changes. The museum also has separate sections for vehicles of the 19th and the 20th century. Children also have something in store for them, as they learn in fun, enjoyable ways the history and working of trains. If you want a good, informative dose of history, the DB Museum Nürnberg can cater to your needs.
The Nuremberg Palace of Justice complex was originally constructed as an appellate and local court for the city but later came to be used by the Third Reich to pass atrocious laws in 1935. However, throughout history, it is famous for hosting the 'Nuremberg Trials' of SS officials, commanders, military staff and legal professionals after the end of World War II by American tribunals. Among the most high ranking officers tried here were Hermann Göring, Rudolf Hess, Franz von Papen, Arthur Seyss-Inquart and Joachim von Ribbentrop in the courtroom number 600 of the palace which now houses a memorial exhibition on the trails. The building is still used as an active court but is open to visitors for a few hours during the week.
Even today, Nuremberg is a city that springs to mind when one thinks of the Third Reich. In the early 1930s, the Nazi Party built the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds to host its annual convention, which was held here from 1933-1938. The largest surviving example of their architecture in Germany, this site was turned into a museum in 1985. 'Fascination and Terror', a permanent exhibition, forms the epicenter of the museum and conveys the repercussions of that era in Germany. The Geschichte für Alle (History for Everyone) organization, organizes guided tours of the museum.
The Germanic National Museum (Germanisches Nationalmuseum), which was first opened in 1852 has been housed in the former Carthusian monastery since 1857. Although this forms the core of the museum, the complex as a whole consists of an impressive mixture of different architectural styles. The vast collections, for which you'd be well-advised to put several hours aside, cover the middle ages, paintings, sculpture, scientific and musical instruments, tapestries and much more. As you approach the museum's main entrance you may wonder what the 27 columns that flank the path symbolize. They form part of the Street of Human Rights by Dani Karavan. Each column is engraved with a declaration from the United Nations Human Rights charter and each is written in a different language. The amazing collection of artifacts holds as much fascination for children as it does it for adults. Also worth visiting are the many lectures, concerts and other events that are held here.
Located opposite Tiergärtnertor just to the south of Kaiserburg, Albrecht-Dürer-Haus, the lovely half-timbered medieval house, was home to the great German painter Albrecht Dürer from 1509 until his death in 1528. Now home to an exhibition dedicated to the life and times of Dürer, the museum provides a fascinating insight into life in the Middle Ages. Visitors can take a guided tour of the house, watch a multimedia show and take part in art workshops.
You will find it hard to miss the striking facade of the Neues Museum, owing to its curved glass design by architect Volker Staab. Spanning over two floors, the art collection is huge and comprises of paintings, pictures, and sculpture works from the 1940s to the present day, with several local events, lectures, art talks, discussions, and musical performances also taking place in the museum.
Founded almost three decades ago, the innovative Pocket Opera Company is the oldest independent opera company in the country. Known for its productions of little-known pieces like The Vampire and Geierwally, the name 'pocket opera' was chosen to represent the company's unconventional way of doing things. Richard Wagner's epic Ring, for example, was performed in just one evening! The venues are also unconventional: Unreported Inbound Palermo was performed in an airport; another piece was shown in a bank. The company regularly appears at festivals at home and abroad.
Rothenberg Fortress was a defense fortress which was once a major military stronghold in the township of Franconian Jura. Established during the 14th Century, the castle was commissioned by Dietrich von Wildenstein and was later owned by Charles IV, the Bohemian King. The architecture of the polygonal, moated castle follows the Rocco style and had the capacity to garrison 400 army personnel. The underground tunnels of the castle are also known to house a special species of bat. Although visitors are not allowed in this part of the castle to protect these bats, the rest of the structure is open for tours.
Theater ACTelier at the busy Act Center is a thriving venue for some well-curated musical performances. Found in the heart of Nuremberg, the ornately furnished theater lends itself as an idyllic spot for varied events, ranging from carnival nights, midnight balls and concept-based shows. The theater stage is also used for rehearsals by local performing groups. In the past, Theater ACTelier has hosted Alice im Winter-Wunderland, which brings alive the legendary tale of Alice caught in an imaginary land of snow and monsters.
Galerie Meisterstück is a must-visit for art aficionados. This magnificent gallery spans across 200 square meters (2153 square feet) and is home to some of the finest sculptures and paintings. Apart from German artists, Galerie Meisterstück displays works of Italian, Iranian, Bulgarian, Austrian as well as American artists. The team behind the venture is passionate and they personally walk patrons through the collection.
If you wish to explore the artistic side of the city, then Akademie Galerie Nürnberg is one place you must explore. This gallery usually organizes a number of contemporary art exhibitions which aim towards encouraging budding artists. Along with paintings, sculptures and photography, Akademie Galerie Nürnberg is a platform for performing arts too. Their inclusive vision facilitates a dialogue between art aficionados and artists thus strengthening the gallery's vision.