Like many of the cities in Germany, Nuremburg's rich and varied past has played an essential part in its growth. The city has a magical duality. It bustles as a metropolis of Germany, but this modern-day city is juxtaposed against beautiful medieval buildings, gothic churches, and cobblestone squares.
During medieval times, Nuremburg Germany was a popular stop for the Holy Roman Emperor and courts were often held at Nuremburg Castle. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Nuremburg was located at the epicenter of the German Renaissance.
In the twentieth century, the National Socialists put special emphasis on Nuremburg Germany due to its significance during the time of the Holy Roman Empire. As a result, they held their party conventions in the city inside specially constructed buildings. One can find instances of Nazi architecture in the city still as some of it survived the destruction caused during attacks during World War II. When Hitler came to power, the city was further favored by the National Socialists when they held their annual congresses there from 1933 to 1938. As part of this dark chapter in Nuremburg's history, the city was a center for anti-Semitic propaganda. However, it ultimately saw some redemption in the Nuremburg Germany trials that were held in the city from 1945 to 1949.
In the aftermath of World War II, there was an outcry for world leaders to mete out justice for those that had committed crimes of war. A tribunal was formed--consisting of the U.S., England, the U.S.S.R., and France--so that judgment at Nuremburg could be passed. No accusations of Allied war crimes were permitted at the Nuremburg Trials; these were dedicated solely to the crimes committed by the Axis powers. Approximately 200 Germans received judgment at Nuremburg for war crimes while 1600 were tried through traditional military courts. While some of Germany's most famous leaders escaped or committed suicide, many were caught and punished. The Palace of Justice, where the judgment at Nuremburg trials were held, is an absolute must-see for anyone that has an interest in the history of that time period.
Another notable feature of city is the impressive Nuremburg wall. Originally it was approximately five kilometers (about three miles) long and had five gates located around the city. However, throughout the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries, the Nuremburg wall was continually strengthened and improved and is largely the reason why it was able to weather the attacks during this time. Over eighty towers can be found along the Nuremburg wall today and is a great tourist attraction.
