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Last Updated: 03. Mai 2000
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Germany
Nürnberg: A Renaissance City
Nürnberg Hauptmarkt
An Organ Recital
The Kaiserburg
Albrecht Dürer House
Nürnberg Hauptmarkt
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We did not make it to the most famous Christkindlesmarkt during the Christmas season; the Weihnachtmarkt at Nürnberg. So we had to, at least, visit this famous city in the spring. Instead of the Weihnachtmarkt, we saw and experienced the Spargelfest. Asparagus is a very popular vegetable especially in Southern Germany.
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The Spargelfest is celebrated in the Marktplatz near the Schöner Brunnen ("the Beautiful Fountain"). It is beautiful with its elaborate gold adornments on the many colorful statues. It was built in the 14th Century and has 40 figures arranged in a pyramid with Moses and the prophets at the top. Erika even touched the golden ring in the wrought-iron railing that surrounds the fountain. According to tradition, climbing up to touch this gold ring brings good luck. (Viel Gluck!) Before we left the Marktplatz, we saw the Glockenspiel of the Frauenkirche. The colorful figures (Männleinlaufen) represent the seven Electors of the Holy Roman Empire swearing allegiance to the Emperor.
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The Organ Recital
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A mid-fifteenth-century eulogy, written by the future Pope Pius II:
Nothing more magnificent or splendid is to be found in the whole of Europe. When one perceives this glorious city from afar, its splendor is truly dazzling. When one enters it, one's original impression in confirmed by the beauty of the streets and the comeliness of the houses. The burghers' dwellings seem to have been built for princes. In truth, the kings of Scotland would be glad to be housed so luxuriously as the ordinary citizens of Nurnberg.
This is also true of the beautiful sounds of the organ, "Nothing in more magnificant or splendid..."
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The Kaiserburg
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After listening to an organ recital at the St. Sebaldus Church (St. Sebalduskirche), we walked to Kaisersburg Castle. Located just inside the city walls, it was the residence of the Holy Roman Emperors. This is not a beautiful residence just impressive. There are three separate groups of buildings with the oldest dating from around 1050. The Burggrafenburg stands in the center of the complex. The Imperial Stables (Kaiserstallung) were built in the 15th Century as a granary. The real interest is the Imperial Castle with its Renaissance Doppelkappelle. We walked around the courtyards and gardens of this immense castle impressed with its strength. The walls are wide enough to support a horse and carriage.
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Albrecht Dürer House
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The Albrecht Dürer Haus is located just west of the Castle by the Tiergaertner gate. In the platz (or square) in front of Albrecht Dürer's Haus, we found a large sculpture of Dürer's rabbit. It was tempting to climb on this friendly sculpture.
Inside Albrecht Dürer's Haus we saw a typical Renaissance middle class household. He lived here from 1509 to his death in 1528. The Haus is one of the best preserved in the city and is typical of the merchant's homes that once filled Nürnberg. Downstairs we saw the family residence and upstairs we saw Dürer's studio. In his studio we saw how he made his pigments for watercolors and oils and saw a demonstration of an etching press. Erika received a print from the demonstration.
After visiting Dürer's haus, we continued to walk along the quaint old city streets and bridges of Nürnberg.
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Die Fotogalerie von die Deutschland
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See you all later.
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