N ürnberg: City Of Wonder

Nürnberg: City Of Wonder By: Marc Poulin (Helmut) 7.Dezember.07

Quick Facts about Nürnberg • 1.)Nürnberg is one of Germany’s oldest cities, and dates back to the middle ages. Today Nürnberg is in the state of Bavaria (Bayern). Nürnberg has an area of 72 sq miles, and a population of 500,132 as of 2006. • 2.) Nürnberg held importance during the Nazi regime period because of its position to the Holy Roman Empire and it being in the center of Germany. There the Nazi party held the Nürnberg Rallies, which were held from 1928 to 1938. • 3.) The Nürnberg trials took place between 1945 and ‘46. The Soviet Union wanted the trials to be in Berlin but they were held in Nürnberg for a few reasons; 1) Nürnberg was located in the American sector. 2) The building in which trials were held was one of the few that were left relatively undamaged as a result of the bombings. (A prison was also part of this complex). 3) Seeing as the city was a place where the Nazi party used to rally, what better way to bring the party to its demise then have the trials in the same city. • 4) Nürnberg was an early center for science, mechanical invention, printing, and humanism. In regards to science, the city contributed heavily to astronomy. In 1471 Johannes Mueller built an observitory in Nürenberg and published important astronomical charts. In 1515 Albrecht Dürer, who was from Nürenberg, mapped out the stars of the northern and southern hemispheres, and printed the first star charts. • 5) Nürnberg is associated with its gingerbread (Lebkuchen). Lebkuchen bakers were recorded as early as 1395 in Nürnberg. Lebkuchen is a traditional German baked good most common around Christmas time. Some tastes sweet while others are a little spicy. It all depends on the ingredients which can include honey, nuts and fruit.

Quick Facts cont… • 6.) Schöner Brunnen or “Beautiful Fountain” was built between 1385 and 1396 by Heinrich Beheim. It was restored many times and rebuilt until it was replaced by a replica around 1912. The original was moved to the German National Museum. During WW2 the fountain was wrapped in a sort of concrete jacket and therefore survived the bombings. • 7.) On the fountain there are 40 colorfully painted figures that are supposed to represent the 4 floors of the world’s image of the Holy Roman Spirit. From the bottom of the fountain they are: Philosophy and the 7 free arts, the 4 evangelists and the 4 church fathers, the 7 electors and the 9 heroes, Moses and the 7 prophets. • 8.) Another one of Nürnberg’s picturesque landmarks is the Nürnberg Castle. The Castle has been thought to have been around since as early as 1000, but there is no documentation until around 1105. Between 1050 and 1571 all the kings and kaisers lived in the castle. • 9.) Kaiserberg is a series of buildings that date back to 1040. They were built on high ground and provided a natural security point. There are clusters of buildings that included the Emperor’s stable and imperial buildings where royalty stayed. • 10.) There are many activities to do while in Nürnberg like go through medieval dungeons on a guided tour through the old town hall, or beer cellars and World War2 bunkers. There are also many shopping areas and plenty of good food to eat, especially in the Hauptmarkt.

Lebkuchen Below: decorated with nuts and fruit • Below: Nürnberg festive box. -Lebkuchen is a traditional German baked good which is most popular around Christmas time. -Nürnberg is know as the “Ginger bread” capital of the world. -Lebkuchen has been around in Nürnberg since the 1300’s. -In the 1600’s, Lebkuchen was not made in the home, it was made by an elite guild of master bakers know as Lebkuchler.

Sights of Nürnberg Below: a monument dedicated to Albrecht Dürer Left: The Pegnitz river. Left and Right: pictures of the Sinwellturm (tower) part of the Kaiserburg a famous castle in Nürnberg

Schöner Brunnen • -Schöner Brunnen or “Beautiful fountain” was built from 1385-1396 by Heinrich Beheim. • -A replica was built around 1912 and the original was moved to the German National Museum • -The fountain is a very famous example of German renaissance iron work that is still around. • -There is an old fable that states there was an apprentice of a black smith who worked for the father of the girl he loved. The father did not think that he was worthy of his daughter but made a promise to him that if he could somehow make a ring with no beginning or end (seamless) then he would grant his permission to marry his daughter.

Schöner Brunnen Pictures: -Left: myself and some family in front of the fountain (2004). -Above: Mom and Dad turning the ring, circa early 1990’s.

Schöner Brunnen Cont… Left: Me at 8yrs old turning the ring. Right: Me at 16yrs old doing the same. Below: a close up of the ring

Hauptmarkt Right: Frauenkirche (church of our lady) Left: view of the center of the Hauptmarkt. Mom, Dad and me (baby carriage) Hauptmarkt circa early 1990’s Left: A postcard of Nürnberg

Fun Stuff!!!

Sources: • http://www.google.com • http://www.germanfoodspecialties.com • http://www.hungrymonster.com • http://www.wikipedia.org • http://beautifuliron.com/beautiful_fountain.htm • My mom • My own photos

N ürnberg: City Of Wonder