On our second to last day based in Munich we decided to take the train and visit Nuremberg. Waking up early and once again taking in a nice big included breakfast we set off on our way. The train takes just over an hour from München Hauptbahnhof meaning that we first had to pop two stations down the line from Donnersbergerbrücke to hop on. Leaving with plenty of time to spare we arrived, it was then that it dawned on me that the train to Nuremberg would be a double decker train. I must admit the young boy in me came out and I found it hard to contain my excitement, it’s the small pleasures in life!
We found a seat on the upstairs of the train and hurtled through the German countryside. Taking in all the views from our elevated position feeling giddy all the way. We arrived and bid farewell to our double decker transport. Leaving the station we took in our first impressions of Nuremberg which were not dissimilar to how we felt when we arrived in Munich. A quick scan of Google Maps let us know the direction we intended to go! Now, there is lots to see in Nuremberg that would interest me, the issue was we only had the day meaning I had to choose. After deciding on what I wanted to see we popped into the old town. To enter it from the train station you have to cross a large road, go over an old bridge, through a castle like gate and you arrive.
Immediately we fell in love with the buildings and area, with lots of bars, restaurants and shops. Having a good wander round we decided to push further into the town, past Saint Lorenz church, over the river Pegnitz and around the other side of the river.
Our plan was to take a local train to the rally grounds (Reichsparteitagsgelände) where the Nazi Party would stage their rally’s during the build up to, and during the war. Once we had our fill of the old town we found our way back to the station and took the train to the rally grounds. Upon arrival we were impressed by the sheer size of the place and figured out how to enter the area properly.
The grounds are open for anyone to pop in and we took advantage of that making our way in to see the stands where the top Nazi Party members would have stood to watch the German war machine march past. After taking it all in and many photos later we approached the main spot and observed the view. I must admit to finding it slightly odd that other people would take selfies when they stood there, something I did not indulge as it just felt a bit strange to do so. We then headed over to the lake beside the grounds. Wandering round the lake was very pleasant and we were able to observe the outside of the Kongresshalle where the Nazi Party planned to have a site for party congress, though it was never finished.
We tried to see if we could enter but it was 4.30pm and we decided against it as we were beginning to get quite hungry and tired of all the walking. Resolved to get some food we headed back to the old town on the same train that had brought us here. We took in more of the old town and settled down for some local food. I had some Nuremberg Sausages on a bed of Sauerkraut which was lovely. Realising we had a little time to spare until our train back we popped into another bar and had a drink chatting about the day and what we had experienced.
A top tip to anyone thinking of visiting Nuremberg for the day, don’t! You need far more than a day. There is so much to see and many other things I would have loved to visit, though as the price of the trip was beginning to mount it seemed logical to make use of the free entry areas rather than paying more for museums and court houses. I would very much like to return one day and finish off my visit.
Heading back to the train my excitement of a double decker train went back through the roof. The ride back was very pleasant and we arrived in good time to have a chill out. The time was used up making last minute preparations for our travels down to Füssen. Soon enough we would be heading down to the southern boarder of Germany and I would have to deliver a speech that I won’t lie I was still working on it! But that’s a story for another next post.
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