Peace and Human Rights Education Award | European Holiday and River Cruising Memoirs

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A Modern City, Christmas market, Franconia, Germany, Gingerbread, Nuremberg, Peace and Human Rights Education Award, Pegnitz

Nuremberg (Population about 510,000) in middle Franconia, sits on the banks of the Pegnitz River and the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. It’s the largest city in Franconia, Germany and the second largest in Barvaria.

Nuremberg City, Middle Franconia, Germany

Nuremberg’s history dates back to about the 11^th century A.D.

It’s actually a miracle we can still enjoy some of its rich historical atmosphere, considering about 90% the Old Town Area was totally destroyed towards the end of World War 2. But miracles do happen!

Nuremberg sits on the Pegnitz River.

Ceiling shot in Cathedral of Our Lady, Nuremberg

Stained glass windows in Cathedral of Our Lady, Nuremberg.

The majority of the city was rebuilt shortly after the war ended. Historical buildings still coexist alongside more modern architectural structures. Its elaborate fountains, ornately decorated churches, grand old statues and even the centuries old Nuremberg Castle itself are all still there to be viewed by the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the city every year.

Fountain, Carousel of Marriage, Nuremberg

The Schroner Bruner Fountain, Nuremberg.

Today Nuremberg is best known for its gingerbread, sausages, quality homemade toys and Christkindlesmarkt or Christmas markets.

It is also very much a part of the industrial heart of the wider Barvarian Region, with large companies such as Siemens and Bosch having both firmly established in the city.

Gingerbread House

Architectural mix in Nuremberg Street

It appears to be a township of renewed vigour. A city, that despite near total destruction less than a hundred years ago, still stands proudly as a symbol of what can be achieved through a concerted effort and unyielding spirit.

But it certainly hasn’t forgotten the atrocities that took place either. In the year 2000 it was awarded one of the UNESCO Peace and Human Rights Education prizes for its role in promoting peace and for educating others about the importance of human rights for all.

Nuremberg City of Peace and Human Rights Education

After our rather solemn morning, Dearly Beloved (D.B.) and I really enjoyed just spending our afternoon meandering around Nuremberg’s pretty streets, taking in the interesting shop windows and soaking up the lovely eclectic architectural mix and cosmopolitan feel.

Nuremberg, wandering the peaceful streets.

This was indeed a small, yet vibrant city and a joy to visit during our river cruise.

Oh and I also recall this was the one and only day we didn’t decide to go back to our “Longship Tor” for lunch. We’d stayed on to savour some of the traditional bratwurst sausage and sauerkraut instead. Then to top it off, D.B. happily got to sample some of that delicious Apple Strudel he’d been hankering after for some time now!