It is a glorious morning above Nuremberg. On a day like this my Grandma always said “wir haben Kaiserwetter” – we have Emperor’s weather. So a perfect morning to show off one of Nuremberg’s principal attractions, our Imperial Castle, or Kaiserburg, built on a sandstone ridge above our historic Old Town. For more photos and a bit of history I invite you to continue after the jump…
The Castle was residence to the Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire and, with its fortifications and together with the mostly still existing walls and towers around the historic city center, to this day is witness to the outstanding role of the Imperial City of Nuremberg in medieval times.
Back in the days there existed no Capital of the Holy Roman Empire, rather the rulers and their imperial court moved from city and castle to the next. All of the German kings and emperors stayed at Nuremberg’s Imperial Castle, most of them multiple times, so it was one of the principal sites of power in the Holy Roman Empire.
The first buildings were erected around 1000ac and it was built into a major residence by the Salian Kings and the Emperors in the 11th and 12th century. The next principal construction phase came in the 12th and 13th century by the Hohenstaufen emperors. In the later medieval centuries it was further modified and improved. It lost its importance in the 17th century after the Thirty Years War. It was severely damaged during the air raids of World War II and has been reconstructed in the decades after, now showing its former glory, although the wounds of war are still visible by the different colors of old and new stones used.
The castle actually consists of three parts, the Imperial Castle itself, the adjacent Burgrave’s Castle and the buildings the Imperial City erected to the east side of the castle.
In my series “Nuremberg Explored” I will do a post giving some background to the individual buildings and from the inside as well as some outside views from the more prominent city side of the castle, but for now I want to leave you with the impressions of an early morning stroll through the courtyards of this magnificent site and view from the castle across the Old Town.
For information about a visit to the Imperial Castle here is the direct link to their english site.
Have a splendid Saturday !
Marcus
Related Posts:
Spring on Nuremberg’s City Walls
Looks like a place I’d be glad to showcase too! What a beautiful place to live!! Thanks for sharing your part of the world with me!
You are so welcome 🙂 !!
Thanks for reminding me of the rich history of Nuremberg. The photos are beautiful and make me miss Germany even more! I can’t wait until we can visit it again!
Thank you so much for commenting 😊🙏! Hopefully you have the chance to come back soon! Marcus
Beautiful! And a great history lesson!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, always appreciated! Have a good week! Marcus
ein Taum,wunderschön.Danke für die vielen Impressionen und Informationen.Die Photos sind einfach exzellent.Meinen Glückwunsch.Ich wünsche Dir einen wunderbaren Sonntag.Liebe Grüsse
Dankeschön, Jeanette 😊🙏! Schön dass Dir die Bilder gefallen! Hab eine wunderbare Woche! Marcus
I truly enjoyed reading this post, especially because of grandma’s quote and the way you intertwined history:) Each photo offers a unique insight into the past. I love walking down quaint streets like these with a rich cultural and historical heritage. Probably because I feel as if I’ve been transported into another epoch. Thanks for virtually taking me there! Have a good week. Cheryl
Thanks for this great comment, Cheryl, it really means a lot! Wish you a splendid week too! Marcus
Nuremberg looks so beautiful in the sunshine – sadly when I visited at the end of April it was cloudy and drizzling. I still thoroughly enjoyed my visit, and it was interesting to learn more about the city’s past while I was there 🙂
Thank you so much for commenting, Rosie! Too bad you weren’t lucky with the weather when visiting Nuremberg, but I’m glad you still had a good visit! Have a good week! Marcus
Wow – such beautiful architecture and history!!
Thanks for commenting, John, much appreciated! Marcus
Wunderbar!
My better/worse 1/2 is originally from Germany. I’m fairly sure she has been to the Kaiserburg way back in the day. I can’t wait to share this post with her to hear what she might have to say. I’ve never been to Germany 🙁 However, I have always held the hope that I might get to visit there someday. Thanks for sharing this with us Marcus. G’Day 😉
You are welcome, thanks for taking the time to comment! And Grüße to your better 1/2 😉 ! Marcus
Hallo Marcus normaler weise es ist Markus in deutsch….. Ich war in Nuernberg wen ich war 13 jahre alt. Wir hatten einen schule ausflug. Wow das war eine lange zeit her. Machs mal gut Markus. Silke 🙂
Hallo Silke, viele Grüße aus der alten Heimat!! Ich freue mich über deine Worte, vielen Dank! Und vielleicht machst du ja mal wieder einen Ausflug nach Nürnberg 😉! Have a good week! Marcus
These are great images showcasing history of Nuremberg! Lovely pictures Marcus!
Thanks, Arv, much appreciated!
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Cool! I used to visit this site in Nuremberg often.
Great, glad I could bring back some memories! Thanks for commenting! Marcus
Oh my goodness! This brings back some memories…I used to visit a friend who lived there, bu t that’s a long time ago now
Glad I could bring some memories, Sue! Thanks for commenting! Have a good weekend! Marcus
Have a great weekend yourself, Marcus!
I have passed Nürnberg many times….never really explored it….I guess I have to change my mind…beautiful!
Thanks so much, Claudia, and yes, Nuremberg is worth a stop 😉 !!
Fantastic pictures. When I got my first passport, which is only about 7 years ago, Germany was a must-visit. I’ve been back briefly a couple of times since, but not yet to Nuremberg. When I get chance I MUST! It looks beautiful. In fact I want to go there now, while you are having nice weather.
Thanks, Jill, you are always welcome here and let me know when you need a tour guide 😉 ! Have a splendid weekend! Marcus
It looks gorgeous Marcus, it’s already on my list of places to visit and it was so nice to read whilst eating my breakfast! Enjoy your weekend. M.
Thanks, Marion, so glad you like it! Have a splendid weekend yourself! Marcus