We arrived in Nürnberg (Nuremberg in English) early this morning. Today a guided tour of medieval Nuremberg including the castle which was never attacked. It has been beautifully maintained and is used for accommodation today.

Another highlight was The Church of Our Lady which is in the city centre and we were lucky to be there at midday for the carillon and the movement of the characters around the clock. We also went to the big markets in the square near the church and were able to experience local arts, crafts, food and beverages.

Nuremberg is the second largest city in the German state of Bavaria with a population of 500,000. The city is first mentioned in records of 1050. During the 13th century it developed into one of Europe's greatest trade towns. Today large companies including Seimens (electrical and electronic components & systems) Grundig (radio, TV parts and computer components and devices) and Faber-Castel and Staedtler (pens and pencils) have operations in the city.

The Citadel ("Berg") was built in the 11th century while the medieval walls with 126 towers were completed in 1452.

Adolph Hitler chose Nuremberg as the site for his Nazi Party rallies and the infamous SS or Blackshirts' headquarters was located here. At the end of the war, the US Army took over the building and used it as their Nuremberg headquarters until they withdrew in 1995. Ironically today the building is used for assisting immigrants and refugees.

Most of the city was completely destroyed during WWII during a bombing raid that lasted 90 minutes. The city has been painstakingly rebuilt using the very same stones.

In 1945 Nuremberg hosted the Nuremberg Trials - war-crimes trials of some of the Nazis henchmen.

Today's insights:

• 
  Henry Kissinger (former US Secretary of State) was born in Fürth now a suburb of Nuremberg.
• Nuremberg was the first German city to have a train service and in 1835 a train ran from Nuremberg to Fürth. The train was supplied (with driver) by England.