Itinerary followed during this Interrail throughout Germany, Denmark and Switzerland

Cologne - Koblenz - Copenhagen - Helsingor - Hillerod - Roskilde - Berlin - Potsdam - Rhine cruise - Freiburg - Strasbourg - Black Forest - Rhine Waterfalls - Schaffhausen - Stein am Rhein - Konstanz - Zurich - Basel - Interlaken - Luzern - Zermatt - Brig - Bern - Geneva - Heidelberg - Munich - Dachau - Fussen - Nuremberg - Rothenburg (ODT) - Wurzburg - Jungfrau and Lauterbrunnen - Brienz - Geneva

City situated in Bavaria, two hours distance from Munich by train. As we were 7 people, we had made a reservation in the youth hostel, located in the old castle facilities.

There are incredible touristic routes through Germany, especially in the Bavaria region. The Alps route, the Romantic route, the Castles route. It is impossible to complete all these routes with little time, so we decide to visit along the travel the most interesting places and cities from each route.

One of these cities is Nuremberg. Very marked by the nazism consequences, the city treates to recover from the past and nowadays it is a charming place, one of the most beautiful and cosiest that we have visited.
During the 11th century it was only a stronghold and during the 13th century it was constituted as an imperial "fee-city". In 16 th century it became a prosper place due to the merchants, artisans and artists such as the famous painter Durero, the sculptor Adam Kraft or the Nuremberg singers that made Nuremberg an important nucleus during the Renaissance. In 1524 the Reform was imposed. The city was praised by romantic writers and was taken as a symbol of German success. During 17th and 18th centuries it experienced a decline in commerce, so the city started a period of decadency, even getting worse because of the 30 Years War. In 1806 it was integrated in the Rhine Confederation, thus losing the independence and became part of Bavaria. During this century the city enriched again. Because of its history and prosperity the nazis chose Nuremberg to held their annual congresses. Almost completely destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt respecting the historical districts aspect by reusing the old materials instead of new.
In 1945 the allies selected the city as sea for the most important court in history, the Nuremberg process, where the crimes of many nazi leaders were judged and the term "crimes against humanity" was created. It had great repercussions and served as a model for the future. In 20 years Nuremberg was rebuilt and it was the second city of Bavaria as industry and economy are concerned, behind Munich .

The old part is surrounded by medieval walls and divided by the pretty river Pegnitz. You can breathe a joy and vitality atmosphere, with animation everywhere.
Hauptmarkt square is the heart of the city, and we find many beautiful monuments around it. First, Our Lady church , from 15 th century and Flemish Gothic style. The pyramidal facade with the pinnacles is outstanding. In the middle there is a huge clock from 16th century. Inside we find very nice sculptures created by Adam Kraft.
Second, the Beautiful fountain , a superb work of art that relates, through golden figures the great stories and ancient legends such as Mosses, Caesar, Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, king Arthur, etc.

It was built from 12th to 16th centuries and it constitutes and authentic medieval complex with tower, palace, chapel, etc. We visited the interior and went up to the main tower and contemplated the marvellous views over the old part of the city. In the yard there is a well 50 m. deep.

Afterwards we walked through the centre, from Northeast gate throughout a charming district riddled with magnificent medieval houses, like Albert Durero's, where he lived for 20 years till 1528, when he died. We continued descending to the river.
Romantic and lovely bridges cross the river Pegnitz. We crossed it through several of them and one doesn't feel tired of admiring the poetic and comforting atmosphere.

On the southern ban of the river there is another pretty square, Saint Lorenzo´s . There we contemplate the most ancient house of the city , from 13th century, that shows an impressive facade. The square is dominated by Saint Lorenzo church , built from 13th to 15th centuries, and it is the most spectacular of Nuremberg. It conserves inside a tremendous choir with two master works of art: a wooden crown from the 16th century and hung from the ceiling, and the magnificent 20 m. high tabernacle from 15th century, made by Adam Kraft. The sculptor appears holding the whole work over his shoulders.

We went on till the Handwerkerhof , a small street market installed in a district reserved for artisans from Middle Ages. It is authentic and traditional, and one can observe the artisans working inside their tiny houses, or even have an appetiser or a cup. Here we have reached the end of the old part.

It is compulsory in Nuremberg to visit the Nazism reserved sector, that one reach by bus. In the city huge parades and nationalsocialists ceremonies were held. Hitler planned big architectonic projects, many of them unfinished, destined to convert Nuremberg into the city for the party congresses.

There are several interesting points : the Nazi party congresses headquarters, the Zeppelin field, the Congress palace, the stadium or the Great Avenue. One finished impressed by the dimensions of these constructions. The tribune from where Hitler attended the parades and spoke to the audience is still here. There is a permanent interesting exposition in the Zeppelin tribune about the Nationalsocialism.

There are some nice museums that we didn't visit, such as national Germanic museums or the toys museum.
Placid walks, calm terraces and quality restaurants complete this marvellous city. We ate very good food, exactly the same that in every Bavarian city. You will need a day and a hlaf to visit Nuremberg. Besides is an adequate starting point to reach the near cities of Rothenburg or Wurzburg (and vice versa).

One of the curiosities about Germany is that they are very silent. So imagine the train crowded with Germans and 7 Spanish speaking really loud, especially some of my friends that almost shout when talking. We felt a little embarrassed with our tone of voice but after a while we had again forgotten that and we were speaking loud again. This situation was a constant in every train and I suppose that the passengers weren't too glad with us. At least in some trains there were some Italians that even spoke louder.