Instant Words : Road tripping in Germany

Berlin to Nuremberg

Finally, I realised my long standing dream of driving in Germany, the autobahn, in particular.

This travelogue has been in the pipeline for a long couple of years.

In 2021 when we were visiting our son and his family (great travellers in their own right too) in Berlin, we decided to do a road trip of South Germany and we did it. A road trip of approximately 2900 kms over a period of 22 nights. Almost all of our stays were in Air BnBs except the initial couple of nights which we spent in a wonderful Novotel Hotel. The reason being we were travelling with an infant all of six months, hence Air BnBs would be more to our convenience and turned out to be the right decision.

My first challenge was of driving on the wrong side of the road or rather the right side. See how confusing it is? The second was driving an automatic car. Both firsts for me. Happy to say I managed both drastic changes quite efficiently, thanks to timely prompts by my son and the wonderfully disciplined German traffic.

Our first leg of the fantastic journey, Berlin to Nuremberg, a distance of 450kms was covered in just over five hours despite taking all necessary breaks on the way.

This is what we saw in the couple of days we were in Nuremberg.

The Frauentorturm, also known as the Frauenkirchturm or Frauenkirche Tower, is a historic tower located in Nuremberg, Germany. It is part of the city's fortifications and is one of the four remaining original medieval city gates in Nuremberg, dating back to the 14th century.

The tower gets its name from the nearby Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), which was destroyed during World War II and later reconstructed. The Frauentorturm served as a defensive structure in Nuremberg's city wall and was used to control access to the city. It has a distinctive hexagonal shape and stands as a symbol of the city's history and architecture.

The Lorenzkirche, also known as St. Lorenz Church or St. Lorenz, is a prominent medieval church located in Nuremberg, Germany. It is one of the two major churches in Nuremberg, the other being the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). St. Lorenz is dedicated to Saint Lawrence, a Christian martyr.

The Heilig-Geist-Spital, also known as the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, is a historic building complex located in Nuremberg, Germany. It is one of the most important and well-preserved medieval hospitals in Europe and stands as a significant historical and architectural landmark in the city.

The Heilig-Geist-Spital was founded in the 14th century, with construction beginning in the 1330s. It was established to provide care and support for the sick and needy in Nuremberg. Over the centuries, the complex underwent expansions and renovations, becoming a multifunctional institution that included a hospital, church, and accommodations for the elderly and pilgrims.

The Schöner Brunnen, which translates to "Beautiful Fountain" in English, is a historic and ornate fountain located in the heart of Nuremberg's Old Town (Altstadt), Germany. It is one of the most famous and decorative fountains in Europe, known for its intricate design and rich history.

The Schöner Brunnen was constructed between 1385 and 1396 by Heinrich Beheim and Michael Wolgemut. It was commissioned by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV and the city council of Nuremberg as a symbol of the city's wealth and prestige during the Late Middle Ages.

The fountain is a masterpiece of Gothic art and architecture. It stands at approximately 19 meters (62 feet) in height and features a multi-tiered structure adorned with numerous sculptures, including saints, historical figures, and allegorical representations.

Ringing of the Ring: The Schöner Brunnen has a distinctive feature known as the "Ringing of the Ring." A brass ring is attached to the wrought-iron grille surrounding the fountain. According to legend, spinning the ring three times while making a wish will bring good luck.

The Hauptmarkt, also known as the Main Market Square, is the central and historic marketplace located

in the heart of Nuremberg, Germany. It is one of the most iconic and vibrant squares in the city and serves as a hub for various cultural, commercial, and social activities

Altes Rathaus (Old City Hall):

The Altes Rathaus dates back to the 14th century.

It is an excellent example of medieval architecture, characterized by its Gothic design, colorful facade, and decorative details. Today, the Altes Rathaus houses the Nuremberg Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum), showcasing a vast collection of historic toys and games.

The Nuremberg Opera House, known as the "Staatstheater Nürnberg," is a prominent cultural institution located in Nuremberg, Germany. It serves as a center for performing arts, including opera, ballet, and theater productions. Here are some key details about the Nuremberg Opera House:

It has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. The original opera house, the "Markgrafentheater," was built in 1657 and served as a venue for various theatrical and musical performances. Over the years, it underwent several renovations and rebuilds.

The current opera house building is an architectural masterpiece. It was constructed in the neoclassical style during the 20th century, with a grand facade and ornate interior. The auditorium is renowned for its excellent acoustics and seating capacity.

Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof, often abbreviated as Nuremberg Hbf, is the main railway station in Nuremberg, Germany. It is one of the largest and busiest railway stations in Bavaria and serves as a major transportation hub for the region.

The station's history dates back to the mid-19th century when the first railway lines connecting Nuremberg to other major cities were established. The current station building, with its distinctive Neo-Baroque architecture, was constructed between 1900 and 1906.

The city wall at Hübnersplatz in Nuremberg is part of the historic city wall that surrounds the old town of Nuremberg. This city wall, often referred to simply as the "Nuremberg City Wall", is one of the best-preserved medieval city fortifications in Europe and an important cultural heritage of the city. The city wall of Nuremberg was built and expanded over the centuries. It has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. The oldest parts of the wall date from the 12th century.