After sleeping in the cozy little Elch hotel, and eating pastries that we’ll have gotten the day before, (yes, we know how to do vacation right.), our family will set out for the piece de resistance of the trip- the CASTLE or “Kaiserburg” sitting on a knoll overlooking the city!! Cinderella and Snow White may have theirs, and that’s all well and good, but this is the REAL DEAL!
We are told that as far as European castles go, this one is on the less spectacular side, with few furnishings, and only one tower; but it’s old, it’s grand, and it’s in the city we’re visiting.
Well, that's because it is a really old castle, not a fancy showy one. Sometimes I think in English the term castle is also used for building we call palace in German. Think of Neuschwanstein (the one that looks a bit like the one in WDW), it is called "Schloss" in German not "Burg" like the one in Nuremberg. (Marv, I am sure you are really happy about this German lesson for the day!

).
The castle in Nuremberg was one of the residences of the emperors (Kaiser) of the Holy Roman Empire (later: of the German Nation) which was the predecessor to modern Germany - a lose empire of independent kingdoms, principalities and such. Not a nation in the modern sense. The Kaiser would travel around in his empire and use all kind of different residences. Nuremberg was a free imperial city in the empire - with only the Kaiser above it and otherwise they were pretty much self governed. Lots of the old cities in Germany were free imperial cities like Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne.
For this privilege (which also meant less taxes to pay) Nuremberg had to keep up the castle and put up the Kaiser whenever he chose to visit. That's why there aren't any funrishings. The rich citizens of Nuremberg would just have to provide their furniture during the Kaiser's visit.
And then since 1806 the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation had been dismantled and there was no use for the castle anymore. Nuremberg lost its privileges and became part of the kingdom of Bavaria, which then in 1871 became part of the German Kaiserreich, which finally was a nation state in the modern sense - and a federal state as well.
After taking our time seeing what there is to see, taking special care to check out the deep well and climb the tower, we’ll head down to see another church: St. Sebald’s Church.
My parents were married in that church btw...
In the same area as the church are The Beautiful Fountain, (indeed that’s its name) and the Hauptmarkt- which means Central Market. Apparently, this is our second shot at souvenir shopping- I think a carved wooden Santa might be a fun catch. See the intricate iron work around the Fountain?? It’s old- as in 1587 old. And if you think that’s old, the fountain itself was constructed in 1396. Columbus hadn’t even sailed the ocean blue yet.
The church you can see on this picture isn't St Sebald, it is the Frauenkirche. Which has a Glockenspiel (called Männleinlaufen) in the front. You might want to try to catch this! I think it is only shown at 12 noon.
The green copper awning in the left corner is the big souvenir shop I told you about.
And make sure to find the golden ring in the fountain's railing, if you turn that you will return to Nuremberg one day!!
At 3:30, we have a very special something lined up! Can you guess WHO we’ll be getting to MEET UP WITH?!? Why yes, the DYNAMIC DUO of Flossbolna and nodnol!!! 2 of the loveliest ladies on the DIS! In real life they are Magdelene with an “e”, and Katharina
Juhu!! (That's German for "yeah!", pronounced like yoohoo!)








However, especially with regard to the later comments, and I am feeling really bad about it, I need to point out, that there still is an incorrect balance between A and E in my name as you use it. It is really Magd
Alene... I know I probably should have told you earlier, but when I realized it you jsut had felt so bad about misspelling my name that I did not want to bother you about it...

But you got Katharina's name correct all the way!!!
We have a great lineup planned with them, starting with a tour of the underground tunnels of Nuremberg! They have been used for a myriad of purposes over the years, including wine casements and bomb shelters during air raids. I think this may be one of the neatest things on our entire agenda. The tours MIGHT only be given in German, so Magdelene has graciously agreed to translate for us.
I remembered that when I took this tour once, they actually had laminated sheets with some explanation in English that they handed out. But I am sure that these will miss lots of the neat details and I will be happy to translate as much for you as possible! It is a really interesting tour and I am looking forward to it! Just be prepared that it will be cold in there: about 50 F!
We ladies will head out for some surprise fun after the kids and my DH are sent on. What they will do, I frankly have no idea. I suspect they may go back to the hotel and hit the sack. But the ladies have other ideas- and for that you’ll have to hang onto your hats. What kinds of trouble can 3 DISisters cook up???
DISisters is a great term!!

I am really looking forward to our evening together!!
Onward to Bowling Green, and good bye to Bavarian bliss.

I will be sad that it will be over so soon!!
The underground tunnels of Nuremberg may have survived the bombs of WWII, but I have a feeling they may never be the same after a visit from Liesa (with an "e"), Magdelene (with an "e") and Katharina (without any "e's" at all). Make sure you don't get too wild together! You do have a plane to catch the next day so you can make another very important DISmeet!
Oh, we won't party IN the cellars!!

Which btw were really used as bomb shelters in WW II.
It could be devastating!

I was online looking yesterday, and they say that Nuremberg's smallest brewery is located in these tunnels!!! How cool is that!? There are actual several tours you can take in these- one is for like ghosts stories and such, another of the wine and bier industry usage, another of the history of them. THey all sound great!
The brewery is where you buy the tickets for the tour and end it...

They have a nice restaurant there as well and it is one of the places I thought your DH might enjoy...

I was planning on including it in my list of restaurant recommendations.
That is one mean-looking rabbit that Albrecht Durer took a picture of. Better bring along the holy hand grenade of Antioch.
Glenn, the original is actually in the Albertina in Vienna - so you might have seen it. But speaking of mean looking. At the nice square that Liesa had a picture of in the first Achtung post, there is a "replica" in bronze which is a modern interpretation and just a warning: don't look at it if you are squeamish!! That's why I am only posting a link to the picture...
http://nuernberg-aha.de/kunst_im_freien/01_plastik_hase_juergen_goertz.jpg
I am still so amazed at the DIS and the friendships formed!
Who knew that you would be able to travel to GERMANY and find a friend to meet up with!!! Much less TWO!
How cool is that!
I love the DIS!
I agree! It is really wonderful!!
Liessa (with an "e") your plans sound wonderful and how exciting that you get to meet the SISTERS!!!!!!!!!
I like that, Katharina and I are the SISTERS!!!!!

But there are other well known sisters here on the boards as well - I think Jen and Bubba should be the first to claim this title!