Exploring Nuremberg, Germany

Explore Nuremberg, Germany, a city rich in history, medieval architecture, and cultural landmarks. Visit the Nuremberg Castle, the old town, and the site of the Nuremberg Trials for an unforgettable journey through Germany's past and present.

by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 2/22/2025

Nuremberg was our first "road trip" from Munich, as we wanted to see some fascinating historical sites, as well as the Nazi Documentation Center. 170 kilometers north of Munich via the A9 Autobahn with a pleasant view of the Bavarian countryside along the way.

The city's well-preserved medieval old town is a sight to behold, with a beautifully reconstructed imperial castle and an awe-inspiring city wall. The Hauptmarkt (Main Market Square) is the heart of the old town, where the famous Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market) takes place, filling the air with festive cheer during the holiday season.

Nuremberg is also significant in terms of its historical importance. The Palace of Justice was the site of the Nuremberg Trials, where Nazi war criminals were prosecuted after World War II. The Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds offers an in-depth look at the city's role in the Nazi regime.

Our journey from Munich to Nuremberg began with a scenic drive through Bavaria's charming countryside. Since our rental condo was located in the southeastern part of Munich, we had to navigate through the city's streets before merging onto Germany’s A9 Autobahn, which would take us north to Nuremberg—a distance of about 170 kilometers.

Driving on the Autobahn is always an interesting experience, especially with its "unlimited speed zones", although near urban areas the speed limits are clearly posted and must be observed. The route took us through rolling hills, picturesque villages, and lush forests, offering a glimpse of Bavaria's natural beauty.

Our primary destination in Nuremberg was the Nazi Documentation Center, a historical site that provides a sobering look at Germany’s past. We exited the A9 onto A73 and followed B8 to reach the center’s parking area. The drive, which took just under two hours, was both smooth and visually rewarding, making it an enjoyable journey despite the serious nature of our destination.

Standing on these historic grounds was an eerie and sobering experience. This is the very place where Nazi troops once marched past Hitler’s podium, a location that played a central role in the massive Nazi propaganda rallies held in Nuremberg during the 1930s. In fact, in the photo to the left, that’s me standing on the exact spot where Adolf Hitler once stood, addressing thousands of soldiers and supporters in carefully orchestrated displays of power.

The grandstand, part of the Zeppelinfeld, was designed by Hitler’s chief architect, Albert Speer, and originally featured an elevated speaker’s platform flanked by three massive swastika banners. Towering bronze eagles, sculpted by Kurt Schmid-Ehmen, once loomed over both ends of the structure, reinforcing the regime’s obsession with monumental symbolism. Though much of the site has deteriorated over time, the core remains largely intact, allowing visitors to stand where some of the most infamous moments of Nazi propaganda took place.

The feeling of standing in that spot was surreal—both chilling and thought-provoking. If you search for old footage of Hitler in Nuremberg, whether on Google or YouTube, you’ll find numerous videos showing him standing on this very podium, overseeing massive military parades and delivering hate-filled speeches to thousands of followers. To physically be there, knowing its dark history, sent a wave of emotions through me—fascination, discomfort, and an overwhelming sense of reflection on the lessons of history. It’s a stark reminder of how crucial it is to remember the past so that history’s darkest chapters are never repeated.

The Grosser Dutzendteich Lake sits between the Nazi Party Rally Center and the Nazi Documentation Center.
Prior to walking over to the area where Hitler used to review his troops, we had explored the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rallying Grounds museum. This is an incredible museum, and it utilizes video, still photography, artifacts, and documents, to display to visitors what took place during the Nazi era. This picture to the left, was taken of the area immediately behind the museum, which was originally intended to be the Nazi Congress Party Hall. Since World War Two got in the way of the construction budget, that area was never finished.

This picture was taken from across the Lake that separates the Documentation Center from the Nazi Rallying grounds area. It is a beautiful site, and it is a pity that it is associated with such a horrifying past.

Hitler's plans were to construct a much larger complex, but once WW2 started, those plans were placed into a holding pattern and never completed because the German war effort consumed all of the building materials.

NOTE: Click here to view a website with details regarding the Nazi Congress Hall building construction & plans.