Nuremberg
Nuremberg (German: Nürnberg [ˈnʏrnbɛrk]) is a city in Germany, in the state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Population (2002): 494,000 [1].
It is known as the location of the Nuremberg rallies of the Nazi Party, and for the Nuremberg Trials of Nazis after World War II.
History
Middle Ages
From 1050 to 1571, the city was a regular stop on the progression of the Holy Roman Emperor, particularly because Reichstage (Imperial Diets) and courts met at Nuremberg Castle. The Diets of Nuremberg were an important part of the administrative structure of the empire. In 1219 Nuremberg became an Imperial Free City under Emperor Frederick II.
In 1471 Johannes Mueller of Königsberg, later called Regiomontanus, built an Astronomical Observatory in Nuremberg and published many important astronomical charts.
In 1515 Albrecht Dürer designed the north and south hemisphere, these are first(?) two Star Maps; Johann Stabius ordered them and the astronomer Heinfogel gave instructions. Around 1515 Dürer also published the "Stabiussche 'Weltkarte'; that is the first perspective reproduction of the terrestrial globe.
1543 the main part of Nicolaus Copernicus' work was published in Nuremberg.
Printers and publishers have a long history in Nuremberg. Many of these publishers worked with well-known artists of the day to produce books that could also be considered works of art. Others furthered travel and knowledge by mapmaking, such as Martin Behaim, who made the first world globe and Hartmann Schedel with his World Chronicles (Schedelsche Weltchronik) in the local Franconian dialect. Sculptors like Veit Stoss and Peter Vischer are also associated with Nuremberg.
20th century
Because of its relevance to the Holy Roman Empire, in line with the connotations raised by the term Third Reich, the Nazis chose the city as the site of their humongous NSDAP party conventions. A number of premises were specially constructed for these assemblies, as well as other buildings, some of which were not finished. To this date, many examples of Nazi architecture can be seen in the city, making it an interesting visit for those interested in the History of Germany overall.
At the end of World War II, the city became famous for the trials of Nazi officials for war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression - the Nuremberg Trials.
Having been heavily damaged by Allied bombing during the war, Nuremberg was rebuilt as closely to its pre-war appearance as possible, down to the replication of many of its medieval buildings.
Famous denizens
Other famous denizens of the city include: Albrecht Dürer, Adam Kraft, Hans Behaim the Elder (architect), Martin Behaim (navigator and geographer), Anton Koberger, and Hans Sachs.
Culture
Nuremberg is twinned with Glasgow, Scotland.
Miscellaneous items related to Nuremberg
- Nürnberger Bratwürste
- Leni Riefenstahl
- Toy Museum
- Christkindlmarkt
- Lebkuchen (gingerbread, specialty of Nuremberg)
- Labour Exchange Headquarters ("Arbeitsamt")
- http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanisches_Nationalmuseum
External Link
- http://www.nuremberg.de/ - English website of the city
- http://germany.archiseek.com/bavaria/nuremberg/index.html - Architecture of Nuremberg