Monday 22nd December 2025

Nuremberg

After a takeaway breakfast we headed for the bus station to do another Hop On Hop Off circle of town.

Started with a journey around the walled old city with its huge towers and a dry moat.

The Old City still remains to be the Red Light District , despite a proliferation of Sex Shops with some interesting items for sale. Thankfully Jane’s new fur covered handcuffs should stop the scratch marks.

Pretty smart marketing by the local energy company, calling themselves NRG.

Our first stop on a day which probably focussed a little bit on the sad side of Nuremburg history was a visit to the Courts where War Trials were conducted.

Court 600 is now a place of reflection, a long way from the dark days when 20 Nasi’s went before the courts, with 11 sentenced to death, but 2 choosing to suicide before the event.

There is a remarkable museum with much stuff that is best just read, remembered and not photographed. Suffice to say the anti semetism that emanated from the Nazi Party beliefs had a catastrophic impact over time with some 5.5 killed.

When will we ever learn.

Walked to the next point the enormous cemetery which is still beautifully manicured  before jumping on the bus for some roving reporting on the castles history, including the obligatory myth about an escaping miscreant who hurdled the moat leaving hoofprint which are still visible today.

Headed up through the restored mansion precinct and the much purposed student lodgings which went from a Lepers Hospital to a wine storage site to today’s use. Sounds like the owner threw his arms in the air getting a reasonable tenant.

Back down passing the market whose entries are now protected by ram barriers in response to the Munich market issue.

an Asian couple found the market an interesting spot to take wedding photos, gluhwein in hand.

The kids jumped off and we headed to the Nazi Headquaryrts which in its heyday was a suburb in its own right.

The main area was under renovation but the small comprehensive display highlighted what a sinister and influential political party the Nazi’s were.

Whilst known for the wanton slaughter of Jews they handed out similar treatment to dissidents and prisoners of war. 

Sadly choosing Nuremburg has tainted the ihistotical mage of the town.

The fact they facilitated the War Trials which were a precursor to the International Court in The Hague which deals with atrocities of war goes a bit of the way.

Thankfully its current standing as the best Xmas Market in Europe helps give the city of 500,000 a much more pleasant reputation . To be honest the people have been tremendously welcoming.

After a prolonged wait for the bus we headed back to town to do more laps of the various markets, have a couple of room drinks, before heading to a 20 seat restaurant/bar for dinner.

As the client base changed during  the night we realised we had probably selected an LBGTQ venue.

A late night gluhwein and return to restaurant to pick up forgotten hats and gloves had us having a comparatively late night , hitting the sack at 900.