Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Nürnberg Castle, Albrecht Dürer House & Glühwein




A city where medieval charm and deep history meet vibrant modern life, Nürnberg - 'Nuremberg' in English - enchants with its storybook beauty, towering fortresses, and colourful half-timbered houses lining cobblestone streets that whisper tales of centuries past. At the heart of it all stands the mighty Nuremberg Castle, proudly overlooking the red-roofed old town, offering stunning panoramic views that capture the city's timeless spirit. 

One of the most important medieval Imperial palaces, the castle was home to every emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, between 1050 and 1571. In 1356, Charles IV enacted the 'Golden Bull', a decree which stipulated that newly elected kings of Germany hold their first general assembly at Nuremberg, which made Nuremberg one of the three most important cities in the empire. The Imperial Chapel is the most architecturally significant building at Nuremberg Castle. Built around 1200, it features a Romanesque 'double chapel' with a two-story chapel — The emperor’s gallery – a unique feature of the Nuremberg double chapel, permitted the emperor to remain at a distance from the court. The emperor’s gallery also cleverly raises the chapel to the level of the upper hall, enabling it to be accessed from the adjoining imperial apartments, which now features the Castle Museum. 

From its historic sites, important Germanisches Nationalmuseum, to the world-famous Christmas market, and Albrecht Dürer House, Germany's most famous artist, Nürnberg is impressive, exciting and colourful. 


Beautiful view of the Old town and Albrecht Dürer House from the Castle

Approaching Nuremberg Castle after a long uphill walk

View over Nuremberg from the Castle

Romanesque Imperial Capel built in 1200, with a two-story chapel

Late Gothic woodcarvings in Imperial Chapel featuring Charlemagne with orb and sword

Hidden doorway leading to the Emperor's Gallery

The Imperial Double Chapel as views from the Royal Gallery,
where the emperor would sit

Original fresco ceiling in the Royal Gallery from 1200

View from Royal Gallery of the Castle courtyard

The gold Medieval Imperial Chalice in the Castle Museum

The Imperial Orb symbolizes the Emperor's Imperial power

View of Nuremberg on our way to the castle café

Nuremberg Kuchen which we bought for friends in Toronto

A mug of potent Glühwein

Old Bavarian wooden staircase on the castle wall

Handsome hanging sign for Zum Albrecht Durer Restaurant beside the Durer House

Albrecht Dürer House

Gallery inside Albrecht Dürer House with his paintings — all copies
with the originals elsewhere in the world, but some in Nuremberg Germanisches National Museum


Old City Wall and Tiergärtnertor Gate outside Dürer House

 Preserved medieval half-timbered buildings is the Weißgerbergasse (Tanners' Lane), 
the picturesque, cobblestoned street offers a rare glimpse into the city's past

Hangman's Covered Bridge over the River Pegnitz was first constructed in 1457

Nurenberg Christmas Market

Glühwein is feature of every Christmas Market throughout Germany

Very tasty indeed - it warms you all up from your head to your toes

Ehekrussell Fountain - "The Marriage-Merry-Go-Round" - is one of then city's 
famous fountains, and illustrates the joys, challenges and obsurdities of marriage

The Germanisches National Museum 

The modern interior of the Museum

'Painting of Michael Wolgemut' by Albrecht Dürer c. 1516
a personal portrait in honour of the memory of his teacher

'Portrait of 31-year old Lady' by Barthel Beham c.1535

'Portrait of 28-year old Nuremberger Jorg Kessler' by Jakob Elsner, 1499

'Margrave Kasimir of Brandenburg' Kulmbach' by Lucas Cranach, 1522

'Portait of Johan Stephan, Rector of University of Vienna' by Lucas Cranach, 1503

'Portrait of a Lady, formerly Salome with the head of St John the Baptist'
by Lucas Cranach, 1530

'Elector Frederick Christian of Saxony' by Anton Raphael Meng, 1750

'Self Portrait in a Gorget' by Rembrandt 1629

Mother of Pearl Lavage Set from Gurgerat in India, 1540
and sold to Elector of Saxony in 1542

'Joachim and Anne Meeting at the Golden Gate' woodcut by Albrecht Dürer 1504

'The Scarlet Woman' woodcut by Albrecht Dürer 1511

'Emperor Charlemagne and Kaiser Sigismund' by Albrecht Dürer, paint on lime wood, 1510

Pocket Sundial for Travellers by Erhard Etzlaub, Nuremberg 1511

Calendar Calculator made in Nuremberg in 1583

Celestial Globe by Johannes Praetorius in Nuremberg, 1566 

The Karl August Hotel, modern, stylish and steps to the main Market Square 
and Nuremberg Christmas Market, was our home away from home










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