Nuremberg, Germany

By Glen Bruels
This is part of a series called Viking Grand European Tour
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We arrived in Nuremberg after a long ride from Vilshofen to Bamberg to dump off our luggage, and then backtrack to the second city of Bavaria. Traffic was terrible, so we didn’t get to see as much as we wanted. Rather than join Deb on the city tour, I went on the World War II tour of Nuremberg – visiting the Zeppelin Grandstand and Party Rally Grounds, the site of the partially completed Congress Hall (now the Documentation Center Museum, and the courtroom that held the Nuremberg trials. I must say it was a tough afternoon. I had never realized that Nuremberg was the site of all of the massive National Socialist Party Rallies, starting back in 1927. I thought those took place in Berlin. To see the scale (and propaganda effectiveness) of those massive rallies was truly frightening. The museum itself opened in 2001 and presents a very compelling history of the rise and fall of the Third Reich. More importantly, however, this complex reflects Nuremberg’s effort to create a “Culture of Remembrance” – both educating and committing to never let something like this happen again. The memorial of the Nuremberg Trials was also compelling. It is noteworthy that this was the first ever international trial in modern times and, in addition to the justice it carefully meted out, it set the stage for international courts like the Hague for the future. Other than these sites, we drove around the city, but most people were alone with their thoughts. I’ve included a few photos that Deb took of Nuremberg Castle and Albrecht Durer’s house.

There are still lots of reminders of the old Nationalist Social Party rallies that occurred here. When the city of Nuremberg took over the former Zeppelin Grandstand and Party Rally Grounds, they tore down things that would bring back memories of the Nazis. Today, there is a soccer field, an ice hockey rink, and this area in front of the Grandstand is used as a dragstrip.
There are still lots of reminders of the old Nationalist Social Party rallies that occurred here. When the city of Nuremberg took over the former Zeppelin Grandstand and Party Rally Grounds, they tore down things that would bring back memories of the Nazis. Today, there is a soccer field, an ice hockey rink, and this area in front of the Grandstand is used as a dragstrip.
Hitler's dream was to have a massive Congress Hall, seating around 50,000 people, to attend annual rallies there. When construction was stopped in 1939, there were already 42 million bricks in place -- and yet it was only half of its projected height. After the war, the city considered many uses for the structure, but both the original intent of the building and the sheer cost to finish it, ultimately kept them from doing other than minimal maintenance and attaching the Documentation Center Museum to it.
Hitler’s dream was to have a massive Congress Hall, seating around 50,000 people, to attend annual rallies there. When construction was stopped in 1939, there were already 42 million bricks in place — and yet it was only half of its projected height. After the war, the city considered many uses for the structure, but both the original intent of the building and the sheer cost to finish it, ultimately kept them from doing other than minimal maintenance and attaching the Documentation Center Museum to it.
The propaganda campaign was highly effective. People who were impoverished and lost any sense of national pride after the defeat after WWI were quick to embrace Hitler's message
The propaganda campaign was highly effective. People who were impoverished and lost any sense of national pride after the defeat after WWI were quick to embrace Hitler’s message
After the proaganda sites, we went to the courthouse where the Nuremberg trials were held. All four of the Allied nations provided prosecuting teams to address crimes against their laws.
After the proaganda sites, we went to the courthouse where the Nuremberg trials were held. All four of the Allied nations provided prosecuting teams to address crimes against their laws.
The tall windows on the top right represent Courtroom 600, where the trial was held. BTW, Nuremberg was chosen as the site for the trials largely because it was in the American-controlled sector. Apparently, the Russians just wanted a show trial and then hang everyone. At the end of the first trial, 4 people were actually acquitted, several were give long prison terms and 11 were sentenced to hang.
The tall windows on the top right represent Courtroom 600, where the trial was held. BTW, Nuremberg was chosen as the site for the trials largely because it was in the American-controlled sector. Apparently, the Russians just wanted a show trial and then hang everyone. At the end of the first trial, 4 people were actually acquitted, several were give long prison terms and 11 were sentenced to hang.
The courtroom had to be expanded from its traditional size to accommodate the large number of judges, lawyers, defendants, and media/visitors. Today, it has been restored to its former self and is still used as a courtroom today.
The courtroom had to be expanded from its traditional size to accommodate the large number of judges, lawyers, defendants, and media/visitors. Today, it has been restored to its former self and is still used as a courtroom today.
About 90% of Nuremberg was destroyed during the Allied bombings. While you can see the Nurember castle and city walls, most of it is reconstructed.
About 90% of Nuremberg was destroyed during the Allied bombings. While you can see the Nurember castle and city walls, most of it is reconstructed.
Albrecht Durer's home. Apparently, you can't get inside and none of his works are there. But other than that, it's great!
Albrecht Durer’s home. Apparently, you can’t get inside and none of his works are there. But other than that, it’s great!
A sculpture created from one of Durer's etchings. Imagine bumping into this after a hard night of drinking!
A sculpture created from one of Durer’s etchings. Imagine bumping into this after a hard night of drinking!
Basically, left over pie crust that is fried and sugar and/or cinnamon added. We just like the name and needed a laugh about then!
Basically, left over pie crust that is fried and sugar and/or cinnamon added. We just like the name and needed a laugh about then!
This entry was posted in Cruising, Germany, Travel
Glen Bruels

I am a traveler and sometimes clay sculptor, following a long career working in consulting. My work allowed me to travel the world extensively and I was hooked. Today, I travel with my wife/best friend to explore new places, meet new people, and learn new things.

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