Nuremberg was a place I’ve always been interested in seeing. It was more modern than I expected, with very little of the old town left. There are still some old building left in the centre, and some of the old city walls, but much of it disappeared in the 1940’s.I visited the Stadium first, which was designed by Albert Scheer, and although it still looks impressive from the outside, it’s like a giant hand has scooped out the inside because there’s nothing left but rubble. The large concrete areas near the stadium where thousands of troops paraded during the late 30’s and early 40’s still exists as a car park, and also as a starting grid for the Nuremberg Grand Prix in the 1930’s – an excellent testament to German concrete.
I also visited the town hall and saw the medieval torture chamber, and also visited the executioners house, which is located above a bridge over the river. The executioners house and a nearby bridge – the first steel-chain span bridge built in Germany in the 18880’s – were damaged in the war but have been beautifully restored. They were well worth the visit. The town centre is really nice, with lots and lots of small shops, and in the town square there was a proper German market. Unlike the German markets Ive visited in the UK which sells nothing but food and cheap trinkets, this market was excellent selling a whole range of goods. I was also surprised at the sheer volume and range of fruit and vegetables on offer, far better than a UK supermarket. The town also had its own ‘wurst’, which I had to try and was a joy to eat…
After a ride around the area I headed back to the town of Pottenstein near my campsite. It is a very traditional town with lots of timber-framed buildings in the centre. Apparently the area is famed for its caverns and minerals and there was one shop selling a vast array of fossils and gemstones. There was also a museum but it was closed by the time I got there. I also happened to see a shop selling traditional Bavarian dress, but there was no way I was tempted to buy a pair of lederhosen.
More of the area to see tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will hold….
