Power and prestige in and around the castle: Nuremberg

Merchants, inventors and scholars made Nuremberg one of the world's most distinguished cities during the Middle Ages. In the shadow of the castle, art and craft flourished, while a new and independent spirit enlivened the city at a time when few other places could offer a life so good or prosperous. Whether that still holds true is another matter. In any case Nuremberg remains a lovely place, as all visitors will soon discover.

Nuremberg's museums, as typical as bratwurst sausages and gingerbread

Until the Second World War, no other German city could boast such an unchanged historical city centre as Nuremberg. After bombing raids left only one in ten buildings intact, it was decided to rebuild the centre in a modern style but following the structure of the old quarter. The result is a shining example of how medieval and modern architecture can be integrated harmoniously in a triumph of reconstruction. Evidence of this can be found in the city's exceptional range of museums, especially the Germanic National Museum, which is the largest cultural history museum in Germany, the Castle Museum, the Kunsthalle art gallery, the municipal museum in the Fembohaus and – unmistakably Nuremberg – the Toy Museum, the Railway Museum and the Albrecht Dürer House.

Craftsmanship and scholarly fans of the bratwurst

Nuremberg was a centre for precision engineering from an early age, and rich residents could even afford pocket watches: the famous 'Nuremberg Egg' watches, which were worn around the neck as they were too heavy for the wrist. The Handwerkerhof directly opposite the main station is a legacy of this grand tradition. Travellers used to walk through here into the city; today it is a colourful cross between arts and crafts, both old and new. Visitors can watch the artisans at work, pick up souvenirs such as tin toys or leather wallets and, of course, buy Nuremberg's spicy gingerbread. Another tasty treat can be had at Bratwurstglöcklein. Named after one of the oldest sausage kitchens, it has served the city's famous rostbratwurst to everyone from international traders and travellers to locals, craftspeople, artists and Nuremberg scholars, including Peter Henlein, Hans Beheim, Albrecht Dürer and Hans Sachs.

With energy levels replenished, visitors can wander along the Historical Mile route towards the city centre, passing fascinating points of interest from cultural history as they go. These include St. Martha's Church, which has some of the oldest and most valuable iconographical windows around, and the Mauthalle toll hall built in 1502, which at 84 metres long, 20 metres wide and 29 metres high was the city's largest salt and corn store. Next stop is the Nassauerhaus, a stunning example of medieval housing, and finally the main market square with the Beautiful Fountain, Church of Our Lady and the town hall.

Another must-see attraction is the castle. Completed in 1455, it is Nuremberg's most famous landmark and one of the most magnificent fortresses in Europe.

Home of the Christmas Angel

Whether the Christmas Angel, known as the Christkindl, comes from Nuremberg is debatable, but she is certainly at home here. The eyes of children and grown-ups alike light up when she opens the world-famous Nuremberg Christmas market from the gallery of the Church of Our Lady on the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent. Bis zum 24. From then until 24 December, thousands of lights illuminate the old quarter, while the aroma of glühwein, bratwurst and gingerbread waft through the air. The Christmas market has not lost any of its magical charm in more than 400 years of history. This can be said not just of the Christmas market but the entire city as well.