Germany Part II: Day 5 Nürnberg (part 2)

This first picture is of Frauenkirche, or "Our Lady's Church". If you notice just beneath the clock on the church, you may see what appears to be some figurines. For a closer look, please click on the link above. These figures are mechanical. When the clock strikes noon there is a show. Jens made a point of directing us to the square in front of the church so we could watch the spectacle. A small crowd had gathered. The mechanism, which resembles a very elaborate cuckoo clock has a king sitting in a throne who is announced by trumpeters. After the trumpets are sounded a parade of figurines circles by the King on his throne, and they are supposed to be bowing in reverence. It was a pretty neat thing to see. Especially impressive when you compare it to clock towers in the U.S. which are nearly all broken.

Jens explained that the spire in the photo below was




























originally intended to sit atop Frauenkirche. It is called Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain). It is located in the Hauptmarkt immediately in front of the Frauenkirche. It was constructed in the late 1300s. The base has an elaborate cast iron fence around it. There is a ring that tourists (me) turn three times and they are supposed to be granted a wish. An older American gentleman and his wife were in line in front of me to perform the ceremonial ring turn. They enjoyed Jens discussing the history behind the fountain. I suspect the man was a WWII veteran on vacation. Hopefully when I'm in my 80s I'll still be out going on nice vacations.

I've also put up a dopey shot of me making my wish... eyes closed I think? Jens and Marija sent me this photo along with the last one that appears on the page. Something nice to remember me by. ;)

The photo below shows an attractive set of buildings near St. Sebaldus Church. (Interior shots in previous blog entry)

The next photo down looks up the hill from the city center towards the Imperial Castle (The Kaiserburg). We were headed to walk around the castle grounds next. The pictures of the street really don't do it justice. It was very steep, which added to the medieval charm of the city.
The castle was a really nice piece of history to see. Construction of the castle was begun by Henry III (1017-56) and around it Nürnberg formed over many years. Kaiserburg, Jens explained was a favorite amongst Emperors, however in more contemporary times the facilities did not meet Royalty's need for luxury, as they favored newer palaces elsewhere.

Like much of Nürnberg the castle went through various stages of neglect and rebirth. The most recent damages of course being incurred in WWII. Several pieces of the castle were apparently left intact while much was destroyed.

The picture to the left was taken atop the citadel of the castle.

The next photo looks out over the city of Nürnberg. The large church closest in view is St. Lorenz, and the one further in the distance is St. Sebaldus. The next photo is a shot of (left to right) Marija, Jens, and Kate peering out over the castle wall. The stone building below is within the castle grounds and is actually the cover to the castle well. Notice the red and white shutters. Red & White are the traditional colors of Nürnberg. Today Nürnberg is considered part of Bavaria which is represented with a blue & white flag. Despite this Nürnberg still considers its roots and heritage separate from Bavaria, and Bavarian colors are not flown. (Nürnberg apparently became part of a land deal that occurred behind closed doors upon the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire).

The tower shown below is a chapel tower within Kaiserburg. It is said to date to 1200 but has gone through various modifications over the years including the addition of the top portion made of brick. Even this however is said to date back to at least 1566 when a famous illustration displayed it as such.

I took the next photo, not because it is picturesque, but because it is the castle moat. While there aren't any cool swamp creatures down there, they were setting up a beer festival. A few hundred years ago people may have died trying to enter the fortress via the moat, now they just go down there to get drunk.

The crest pictured is the coat of arms of the city of Nürnberg. It is sort of a combination of two symbols, the colors red & white which may have been painted on the right side at one time, and half of what is usually an "Imperial double eagle".


Not really pictured here (They are seen at the end of the street on the hill in picture five- the large building with a rust colored roof and multiple dormers) are the Imperial city buildings (stables) which are part of the castle. Jens told us that there is actually a youth hostel inside the castle that people can stay at. I would definitely consider roughing it if the hostel was in something outlandish like a castle!

The last photo is Kate and I on top of the castle with the city scape behind us.

Jens gave me a nice souvenir from the Kaiserburg which is a photo-book detailing the history behind the castle. I used it to supplement information to this post. Hopefully I didn't mangle any of the details!

Check in for the Nürnberg conclusion tomorrow!