I am not going to go through the history and facts of the church. Clearly another example of…read moreNuernberg's rich history as a medieval city. What makes this church stand out is the fact that it overlooks the main market place with it's many fruit and veggie stands, most with locally grown produce. Of course there are also food trucks and household wares to be had. The market place turns into a giant Christkindl Market and at its opening the Christkindl (which by the way is a Christmas angel - child of Christ) stands atop the church balcony and officially opens the Christkindl Market with a speech and blessings. Definitely worth attending, if you can squeeze in somehow, because be aware that it will be super crowded. Just before 12 noon you will see crowds gather looking up towards the top of the church. They are all waiting for the "Maennleinlaufen" were the figures start moving and the electors turn and face the Roman emperor. There are also musician figures that move as if playing their instruments.

Frauenkirche or " The Church of Our Lady" is an example of brick Gothic architecture, and it was…read morebuilt on the initiative of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor (reign 1346-1378) between 1352 and 1362. The church contains many sculptures, some of them heavily restored. Numerous works of art from the Middle Ages are kept in the church, such as the so-called Tucher Altar (c. 1440, originally the high altar of the Augustinian church of St. Vitus also in Nürnberg). The church was built in the grand market, in place of the former Jewish synagogue, which was destroyed during the Nürnberg pogrom (Jewish persecutions of 1349) which followed an outbreak of Black Death. Charles IV wanted to use the Frauenkirche for imperial ceremonies, which is reflected in the porch with the balcony, and in the fact that the church is relatively unadorned except for the coats of arms of the Holy Roman Empire, the seven Electors, the town of Nuremberg, and the city of Rome, where the Holy Roman Emperors were crowned. Construction of the church continued until the 1360s. Charles IV's son Wenceslas was baptized in the church in 1361, on which occasion the Imperial Regalia, including the imperial reliquaries, were displayed to the people. References to Wenceslaus can be found throughout the sculptural program of the church. Beginning in 1423, the Imperial Regalia was kept permanently in Nürnberg and displayed to the people once a year on a special wooden platform constructed for that purpose. The current west gable of the church dates from 1506-8. Historic images show that this gable was once richly decorated with sculptures which were presumably destroyed in the Reformation. In 1525 the church became Lutheran and galleries were added in the aisles. In 1810, the church was acquired by a Catholic parish which removed the galleries and restored the church in 1816. This restoration involved replacing and repairing surviving sculptures and gathering Medieval art to adorn the church. One of the most notable features of the church is the Männleinlaufen, a mechanical clock that commemorates the Golden Bull of 1356. The clock was installed in the church between 1506 and 1509. The Holy Roman Emperor is shown seated with the prince-electors surrounding him. The clock mechanism is activated at noon when a bell is rung to start the sequence and is followed by the trumpeters and drummer. Then there is a procession of the electors around the figure of the Holy Roman Emperor.

What a beautiful church! We stumbled across this church as we were driving around looking at the…read morecity. We found parking nearby and decided to wander in. This gorgeous church was built in the 1200s. It was decorated beautifully with trees for Christmas. It was quite cold inside as it was a cool day, and there is definitely no heat. However, that somehow adds to the charm. It is quite interesting that on the site of the church there was a chapel around 1070. It's amazing to know that there has been some type of religious building on this site for almost 1000 years. It puts your time on this planet into perspective very quickly. The church is free to enter, but they do suggest donations and there is a collection bowl near the entrance. If you are close by, I would definitely suggest a visit as it is definitely beautiful.

Amazing church built in the 1200s! You can freely walk inside, but donations are suggested. Amazing…read morelooking structure!

One of my favorite churches in Nuernberg. I believe it is also the largest. I'm not going to state…read moreall the history and facts about this church, others have already done so. Just one little anecdote that always amuses me is that the builders could not agree on the style of the towers and this is why each tower is different. A feud that is permanently displayed on the towers of a church no less... Anyway, take a close look at this church both inside and out. There are so many details to see, that even after years coming here, I still seem to discover new details. A must see for sure.

This is the largest church in Nuremberg. To my surprise, I thought I was entering in a Catholic…read moreGothic style church (built circa 1250) to find out it was a Lutheran one. In any case, amazing church with so much art to see in just an hour I spent there (I was with a colleague and did not want to spend the usual amount of time I would do in this type of sacred buildings with so many details and art in every corner). I can't believe it was bombarded during WWII, then rebuilt with great effort. The stained glass art is amazing and I was happy to see that during our visit it was an exhibit about the artist who created all of them originally. It was a very well paid 2 euros visit (I dont like to pay to enter in a church, I am more pro-donations, but still it was worth it). One suggestion is that I would prefer not to have a gift shop inside the church. That devalue both the religious experience and the artistic value, converting the whole thing in a theme park. That is the only part I disliked during my visit as well as the attitude of the young girl that was collecting the money...I got confused of door of our way out and she started yelling at me: no, not there, stop stop...which made me feel weird. Anecdotes apart, a must visit.

Funny how folks seem to be surprised how busy this square is. It is Nuremberg's Main market Square…read more Throughout the year it is mostly a farmer's market, but also has some local craft vendors and some food trucks/stands. You have your locals shopping for fresh produce and the tourists for souvenirs. In the wintertime, the entire place transforms into one of Germany's most famous Christkindl Markets. If you are there on opening day, you can watch the Christkindl stand high on a balcony of the Frauenkirche, she gives a speech and officially opens up the Christkindlmarket. During said market, you can purchase ay and all things German Christmas. From beautiful blown glass ornaments, to traditional Zwetschgenmaennle (little people made from dried prunes and other dried fruits). Don't forget to drink some Gluehwein, Germany's traditional hot mulled wine. It's sold on every corner of the market and the entire area smells like it. Year around main attractions besides the shopping would be the Frauenkirche on one side and the Schoenner Brunnen on the other end. The Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady), Gothic brick built around 1350 is famous for it's Maennleinlaufen at high noon every day. Some may feel it's not all that, but considering this clock was installed in 1509 and has been working ever since, well, I say that is impressive. It starts by the individual musicians playing their instruments and is followed by seven electors marching around Emperor Karl lV, each turns to the emperor to greet him. The Schoenner Brunnen originally built around 1390 is worth seeing by any means. It is surrounded by a wrought iron fence. Within this fence is a brass ring, which you must turn for good luck. Of course there is a legend that goes with this, but I'm not telling it here. The market place is also surrounded by various shops and restaurants. Check it out and experience and important part of Nuremberg.

We had free time after visiting the castle. The central square is a busy place even during the…read moreweek. Lots if shopping for souvenirs like coco clocks and nutcrackers. Produce vendors with fresh fruits and vegetables as well as a huge selection of dried fruits and some salami. Food vendors of assorted cuisines of sushi, gyros and Mediterranean food. Also many restaurants on the lined the outer perimeter. We shopped some and enjoyed some beer!

This stunning church is Nuremberg's oldest parish Church, and contains the relics of the 8th…read moreCentury St Sebaldus, patron saint of Nuremberg. Begun in 1225 in a late transitional Romanesque style (elaborate capitals under early pointed arches), the choir was rebuilt on a grand scale in the 14th Century and the tall towers added in the 15th. The choir is a lovely example of a Hall Church, where the aisles are as high as the main nave or choir vault. Badly damaged in World War II, it has been sensitively restored. The interior is blessed with some notable mediaeval alter pieces, but the highlight is the 16th Century casket and shrine to St Sebald himself. The windows have done lively mediaeval glass. The church is now part of the Lutheran denomination with regular services and concerts.