Learning about Nürnberg

One of the tourist attraction in Nürnberg is at the Church of our Lady each day at noon. A mechanical clock, the Männleinlaufen, is activated at midday when the trumpeters and drummer play followed by seven electors going around the figure of the Holy Roman Emperor. We learned the church was built in 1356, the clock added in 1506. Look closely at the photo. Must have wowed the folks back then, although in the modern era of animation, the little clock people are a bit stilted. More interesting are all the people taking pictures.

In the Haupt Platz just in front of the church, was a market today. It is asparagus season, spargel, nicknamed the King's vegetable, Königsgemüse. I have now had two servings of spargel soup and it was delicious but the German favour only the white kind as you can see. 

There are a few green ones but they are not as popular. 

We went on a tour of the city today with four other English speaking people. Our guide, Hana, was outstanding in her knowledge of the history of Nürnberg. It was nice to get away from the main areas and learn how the city came to be. We walked along the river, Pegnitz, learning about the meat industry and how the cows' intestines, dumped into the river in the Middle Ages caused problems for the floor millers down stream (not to mention the smell). Today the river is a beautiful sight. They still call the bridge the Fleischebrucke, or "meat bridge."

Here is the Hangman's House and bridge. On the wall is an indication of what his job involved. Our guide said one particular hangman known for chopping, torturing, maiming and more left this profession and became a doctor. He certainly had knowledge of anatomy.

Crossed over the chained suspension bridge, the Kettensteg, built in 1457 of links of wrought iron, amazing Geman engineering! 

Much of Nürnberg was destroyed in the war but 20 homes in one area survived, most were homes for tradesmen. Part of the leather tanning industry was centred here. The houses are half-timbered Tudor-style and usually only two windows wide. After processing with alum -- sometimes soaking for a year, the hides were dried outside and hung upstairs in the attics. Another neighbourhood with bad smells!

We ended the tour at Albrecht Dürer's house, famous painter of Nürnberg. His house survived the bombing too. You can see it right behind Norman as he sips a well deserved beer. 

There are 36 museums listed to see in Nürnberg. Everything from the Pigeon Musuem to Faber Castell Pencil Lead Museum. You can even tour the underground tunnels and cellars cut out of the stone where beer was once aged and stored. 

Evening walk felt like summer had arrived here. Past St. Lawrence Church and to an Italian restaurant. Vapiano, a German chain of restaurants offering pasta, pizza, salads,etc made to order. It was yummy! 

Before we leave our hotel tomorrow we want to show you just where we are staying. Can you see Norman waving from our open window? We are definitely in the attic.