Tuesday, April 13, 2021

NUREMBERG

Way back before my blog,  I dated a guy who was too many things. While he was memorable for quite a few nice things,  like having a smokin body, he was very fun. And not a stick in the mud. One of those memories was a trip to Nuremberg, which was my first trip abroad, well, at least off the North American continent.  I was blown away, in more then one way. Nuremberg had not been on my radar, but thought it sounded like a great visit.  Bavaria's second largest city,  and the unofficial capital of Franconia, is an energetic place where the nightlife is intense and the beer flows as free and as dark as it's coffee. It was definitely a memorable trip...and very alive with history and year round visitors. Nuremberg was the undeclared capital of the Holy Roman Empire and the preferred residence of most German kings, who kept their crown jewels here. It was stuffed with stunning scenery, and architectural wonders, in addition to being a magnet for artist. It unfortunately was also the place where Nazis held there fanatical and evil party rallies. The city was reduced to landfill before being rebuilt after it's bombing in 1945, but instead of taking it in the direction of a modern city, they choose to keep the city,  in it's trademark style it had, and restored it to it's former grandeur. I loved coming across all my pictures. But the one sight I really loved was St Sebaldus Church.

One of the city's oldest and most important churches...it has been soaring over the city since it's initial completion in 1275, making it the oldest structure I ever stepped into I believe. I really worry these places will collapse with my sinful dark acts!!! Maybe I shouldn't go see them? It has been added on to , but you'd never know. The last addition was in 1957.  The church was named after one the city's patron saints, a 8th century hermit and missionary. St Sebaldus has a formidable stone façade, with twin towers capped by verdigris green spires. The interior was unexpectedly bright. The soaring columns support the high groin-vaulted ceiling which was jaw dropping. Beautiful stained glass windows, and art works hanging. But most surprising was the very ornate tomb of St Sebaldus, which survived the WWII bombings. The tomb is adored with figures ranging from religious personae, angels, mice and snails, and houses a silver casket that contains the bones of the churches eponymous saint. Of course the city's walls from the 12th century, are the medieval defensive mechanism surrounding the old city of Nuremberg which was also cool to see. The Nuremberg Castle and it's walls were meant to be one of Europe's most considerable defense systems. It too was cool to see, but I'll share those in another post. No doubt Nuremberg is a must see spot. I was pleasantly surprised. AND THE BEER!

35 comments:

  1. One country in Europe to which I've never been is Germany. I've visited many of its neighbours including France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy and the Czech Republic. One day, maybe.

    Nuremburg does look rather lovely...

    Jx

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    1. You'd love it my gin blossom! Chalk full of pubs I tell ya!! This past summer of 2020 was to be our trip to parts of Italy. Hopefully it will be back on the books soon.

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  2. Loverly pictures. Brother
    spent a whole summer there
    once with a former exchange
    student of ours.
    xoxo :-)

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  3. Excellent trip! Ive long been enthralled with Germany and I'm so glad you took in this church. St. Lorenz is the primary church to visit in Nuremberg but I would say that this church has a more imposing interior with more far more interesting art and statuary. St. Lorenz has the best facade, no question, but Im glad you didn't miss a trip inside this impressive space.

    Was this guy you dated a German?

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  4. WOW! Yet another place I always wanted to visit. I better get busy if I ever want to see these places before I kick the bucket.

    Looks a very serene setting and just walking through the church just creates a sense of calmness. The sheer size creates a sense of awe and its hard to imagine how much work it took to create this wonder. I would definitely take the time for a visit and enjoy the beauty there. I saw a special Rick Stevens show on the whole city...it's quite amazing.

    You have seen some sights kid.

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  5. I am insanely jealous right now. One of my favorite race tracks in the world is the Nurburgring. Guess what you can see on the right side while you're traveling down a long straightaway at the end of the course? The Nurburg Castle.

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  6. I associate Nuremburg with the trials. Thanks to you, I now know it's so much more. That's some amazing architecture.

    Love,
    Janie

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  7. I would love to visit germany. and austria.

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    1. Don't get me started on Austria. Vienna was one of the prettiest trips and cities I have seen. And they knew how to dress there!

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    2. I visited Vienna in the spring and took warm clothing; of course there was an unseasonal spike of warm weather and I was rushing around town trying to find cooler clothing. I loved Schonbrunn and the Hofburg; the dinner services in the museum were to die for. As with most European cities I look back and wish I'd known more about the history before I visited.

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  8. Cap Chasen4/13/2021

    It has been years since I was in Nuremberg. It was far more pretty and intresting then I would have expected. This church is old, and very imposing. We didn't do the interior...but it surely looks worth coming in to have a look. I too agree, that the city walls, and the four point towers are pretty neat to see.

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  9. Excellent post and pictures. During a walking tour of the city center in Nuremberg, my husband and I, along with a group of others were fortunate to visit St. Sebaldus Church.

    The church suffered serious damage during WW II, it's amazing it didn't take more damage. Most of the old interior did survive, including the Shrine of St. Sebaldus, some works by Veit Stoss and the stained glass windows.

    This is a place you don't want to miss when visiting Nuremberg's city center.

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  10. Absolutely glorious! You are a very fortunate person, and you have the pictures to prove it. I'd love to go someplace like this! I am a dorky little medievalist and I would have to be forcibly removed every day at closing time. WOW.

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  11. That's what I love your your travelogues. You always seem to take time to enjoy. Do you plan or just go with the flow? This is amazing.

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    1. Most trips...I know what I want to see...but are not planned out. Go with the flow and see where the day takes you are the best.

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  12. What a great old church. The history, art, and architecture look amazing. I love a nice relaxing vacation that also offers lots of history. Since living here, I have yet to make it to Germany.

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  13. "I was blown away, in more then one way."

    we need details on this.

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  14. Gothic architecture at its finest. A lot of Germany was rebuilt; we visited Frankfurt and the centre of that city had been returned to its medieval roots following the British bombing raids. Warsaw was another city centre that was restored to its former glory after the Nazis blew it up.

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    1. It was amazing that the city was rebuilt so well. You'd had no idea that it was almost reduced to rumble.

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  15. I've never been to Nuremberg. Have heard it's very grand.

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    1. I was very pleasantly surprised. I had no idea what awaited.

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  16. Love the pictures!
    Some friends have been to Frankfurt and she said it was very beautiful. One more for the bucket list.

    XOXO

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    1. I heard Frankfurt is nice, but I want to complete my current bucket list first before seeing it

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  17. Wow! Another place to add to the list, when the borders open.

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  18. Grand trips to grand places with grand guys. How do you do it?

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    1. On my back? I'm lucky that I had such good travel friends.

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  19. I remember when a few of us had a gig together in Nuremberg. I was great to play the cello in such a city of history. We visited and performed at a number of churches during our time in Nuremberg but this was the best one. Small in comparison to its contemporaries, but beautiful internally. I got have gotten lost in that city.

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  20. Gee, all those old buildings...

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  21. Awe inspiring holy sights and a smoking hot body? You've done well, MM.
    Love the stained glass windows in this final shot.
    xx

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  22. Great images...once rode through the city on the train from Frankfort to Vienna (along the Danube most of the way - phenomenal ride- but would like to specifically visit the city of Nuremberg one day.

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    1. That would have been a great train trip Luke. I would return to Vienna in a heartbeat. I think Nuremberg was a different sort of city I hadn't seen before.

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  23. I'm far from religious, but I enjoy seeing these old churches. I hope you share more from this trip. I have yet be anywhere in Germany.

    And what's not to like an=bout a fun hot travel partner?

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  24. This city is the setting for Wagner's grandiose work, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.
    Very interesting here

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  25. I always appreciate a high groin-vaulted ceiling! Being so short I have little other option.
    I've not travelled much, so it is wonderful to see your pictures.
    Sx

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  26. Ah! Finally a place I have actually seen.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!