Nuremberg, Deutschland. Friday, 10th May 2019.
After savouring the delights of Bamberg, we get ready to taste the flavours of this very historical town. Out of bed at 05:30; wrote the diary entry for yesterday. Now getting ready for Nuremberg.
It is 18:22 as I write this. We had set off sometime after 10:30 this morning. First to the ZOB, which is at a stone's throw from the hotel. Walked on to the U Bahn station of Nuremberg Hbf and travelled on U1 to the next station - Lorenzkirche. On exiting it, we found ourselves on familiar territory - pedestrianised plazas, cobbled roads. The St. Lorenz's church was a
monstrous beauty! We strolled around at leisure, marvelling at the ambience that boasted old world charm - excellently constructed and maintained buildings, arched bridges across the river Pegnitz, the many restaurants with outdoor seating occupied by prim and proper ladies and men laughing and chatting while enjoying their pork and beer!
Munching a Lindt Pista, we walked on to Marientor where we boarded tram no. 8 for the old Nazi rally grounds. The ride took us to the opposite side of the town which was perhaps a residential district - broad avenues, beautiful buildings, parks and gardens; and everything that is needed to make life comfortable. Spent a short time at the rally grounds - we did not actually see the grounds as the space is occupied by a huge building opposite which was a small lake.
Went back to the bus stop and caught bus no. 36, the destination being Hauptmarket (main market), part of the Altstadt (old town) and close to Lorenzkirche. This ride followed a slightly different route from the one we had come by; it took us along Tiergarten (animal park) which was spread on one shore of another lake - this one looked beautiful.
We were tempted to get off the bus and spend some time here, but resisted. Alighting at Hauptmarket, we walked to a restaurant that Urmila had earmarked earlier. Ordered two bowls - Ramen noodles and the second with chicken and plenty of vegetables. The quantity for the two of us was a bit too much and we felt bad at having to waste a little food. Sorry!
Next on the anvil was the Memorium Nuremberg Trials - the court where the famous trials of Nuremberg had taken place, from 1945 to 1947. This was the primary reason for my visiting Nuremberg. For this, we had to walk to Lorenzkirche U Bahn station to catch the U1 to Barenschangze. The court is just off Further Strasse, a broad avenue upholding the German tradition of cleanliness. On enquiring of a policeman, we were asked to enter the
awesomely built building adjacent to the court building. A lady there guided us back to the correct building (the court). There was a cash desk manned by two people and we bought tickets for the visits to the museum and the famous courtroom no. 600. The man at the
desk advised us to visit the museum first, as a hearing was in progress in the courtroom. We took the elevator to the third floor. There, in a huge room, attractively and meticulously arranged, were photographs of events related to WWII; leading up to the famous Nuremberg trials! The photographs were mounted on huge boards and each photograph had a number. In addition, each board had a number which we had to type on our audio
guides that had come along with our museum tickets. At once, an English commentary commenced, giving us first the background; and then a detailed explanation of each photograph on the board whose number we had keyed in. It was an awesome experience; a revealing one! As our audio-visual experience was getting enriched further, we heard an announcement. Though it was in German, we correctly guessed that it was concerning room no. 600. The museum done, we took the lift down one floor and as we exited the elevator, we were standing outside the historical court room no. 600!
As we entered the room, the audio guide again swung into action, explaining the scenario in that room during November, 1945! The experience was mind-numbing! We had walked into history!!! A highly satisfying and rewarding visit! My trip to Nuremberg was made!
On the walk back to Barenschangze station, Urmila's slipper broke and she had to trudge uncomfortably. I berated her strongly for ignoring my piece of advice of wearing shoes. Were back at the hotel after a U1 ride to Hauptbahnhof and the short walk along Bahnhof Strasse, interrupted by a halt at the ZOB to ascertain the departure point of Deutsche Bahn's (DB) bus to Prague, Czechia; the next morning. I stepped out again to look for chocolate at the Hauptbahnhof and was rewarded with two Ritter Sport flavours of 100 gms each, at our favourite Lidl supermarket which I entered for the first time on this trip. It was unusual for me to enter our favourite supermarket after a delay of 4 days on landing in Germany. Returned to the room armed with Rum Trauben Nuss and Kakao Mousse!
Rested till 20:00, then went down to the lobby to avail ourselves of a free drink each, in exchange for not having our room cleaned(no water, no detergents); the latter as a measure towards protecting our planet. The girl at the counter - Mirjam - smiling and friendly, quite unlike her counterparts at Holiday Inn Express (the same chain!), Munich - offered me a large (500ml.) Beck's Tap beer while Urmila settled for an apple juice. Enjoyed sipping our respective drinks in the lobby, watching trams, buses and people come and go along Bahnhof Strasse. Back to our room by 20:40 or so.
To Prague tomorrow, to tie up a loose end from our 2014 trip !
