Deciding not to focus on Nazi history we found that Nuremberg has a lot to offer with its traditional half-timbered houses and Gothic churches. A walking tour saw us taking in the sights.

Founded in 1050, Nuremberg is situated in the Bavarian region of Franconia, in southern Germany. With a population of around 510,000, it is Bavaria's second-largest city after Munich. Nuremberg, a city in northern Bavaria, is distinguished by medieval architecture such as the city walls, fortifications and stone towers of its Altstadt (Old Town).

At the northern edge of the Altstadt, surrounded by red-roofed buildings, stands Kaiserburg Castle (Imperial Castle) which served as the residence of Germany's Kaiser and kings between 1050 and 1571.. In 1945 practically the entire Imperial Castle lay in ruins, but important Romanesque and late Gothic sections survived virtually unscathed. Immediately after the war, Rudolf Esterer rebuilt the complex almost exactly as he had before the war on the principle of "creative conservation".

The Hauptmarkt (central square) contains the Schöner Brunnen, the gilded "beautiful fountain" with tiers of figures, and Frauenkirche, a 14th-century Gothic church.

The Roman Catholic Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) dates back to 1352 and is a must-see Gothic landmark you won't easily miss when visiting Nuremberg's Hauptmarkt, as the building's stunning facade is rich with detail. For example, above the porch with its rich sculptural decoration is the Männleinlaufen, a beautiful old clock that was installed in 1506 with mechanical figures representing the seven Electors pacing round Emperor Charles IV (performances daily at noon). Notable features of the interior - designed with attendance by the Emperor in mind - are the Tucher Altar from 1440 and two handsome monuments by Adam Kraft. Visitors are welcome to attend daily mass here, too. In the pedestrian-friendly Jakobsplatz is another interesting old Roman Catholic edifice, the domed St. Elizabeth's Church built between 1785 and 1806.

Make sure to stop by the Castle Quarter (Burgviertel) to see sandstone and timber-framed houses dating back to the Middle Ages and check out Heilig-Geist-Spital (Hospital of the Holy Spirit), one of the oldest hospitals in the country. It was established in 1332-39 for the care of the elderly and needy.

Albrecht Durer House. Albrecht Dürer is one of Germany's greatest artists and a huge influence in the Northern Renaissance that swept through the region in the 15th century and he lived and worked in this massive half-timbered house for nearly 20 years. It is also significant as the only surviving 15th-century artist's house in Northern Europe.

In addition, take note of the fabulous statues and fountains;

Schoner Brunnen. Aptly named "The Beautiful Fountain", this is a highlight of the central market square in Nürnberg. It was designed in the 1380s by Heinrich Beheim, a stonemason, and was intended to top the Frauenkirche. Upon completion, the townspeople decided it was too glorious to be so far removed and it was transformed into a fountain. It stands at an impressive 19 meters (62 feet) high and is bedecked in gold. There are 42 stone statues surrounding the fountain that depict allegorical figures, churchmen, electors, and heroes. While the figures are out of reach, a seamless copper ring on the north side of the fence is accessible. It has been rubbed to a golden hue from people's touch as they turn it full circle and make their wishes for the future.

Another famous fountain, the Gänsemännchen, built in 1555 and depicting a Franconian peasant carrying two geese, with the water flowing from their beaks.

On first glance, Der Hase (The Hare) by Jürgen Goertz appears quite bizarre. One of the newest figures in this medieval city, the statue shows a crazed bronze rabbit stumbling and crushing at least one human beneath him. Many visitors walk out of the castle walls to find this peculiar statue and stop, puzzled. It has been described as "one of the world's ugliest pieces of public art." The statue is actually an ode to Nürnberg's favorite son, Albrecht Dürer. The artist was born, lived, and died in this city. Though it appears much less quaint, it is inspired by Dürer's painting of Der Feldhase (The Rabbit). The statue is located near Albrecht Dürer Haus which is now a museum dedicated to the artist.

Named Das Narrenschiff (the "Ship of Fools"), this is a bronze statue of a boat carrying seven people, a skeleton, and a dog is planted in a main pathway and catches the eye of travelers. Based on a popular sixteenth-century book by Sebastian Brant, this piece was sculpted by Juergen Weber off of woodcuts by favourite Albrecht Dürer.

Ehekarussell. This grotesque sculpture is the "Marriage Merry-Go-Round." This image of wedded bliss from courtship to skeletons was created in 1984 and has been called everything from hilarious to vulgar. Another piece by sculptor Jürgen Weber, it is based on a poem entitled "Bittersweet Married Life" by 16th century Nürnberg poet, Hans Sachs. It is one of the largest European figure fountains of the 20th Century and came at a tremendous cost (creating grumbles from the townsfolk).

Tugendbrunnen. The "Fountain of Virtue" dates back to the Renaissance in 1589. Six virtues (faith, love, hope, courage, moderation, and patience) embody their trait as chubby cherubs are caught in flight overhead. But beware! There is easy-to-miss controversy as there is no virtue of modesty. The waters of the fountain pump directly through each of the figure's nipples.

Schalen-Kaskaden-Brunnen (Shell Cascade Fountain). Fountain of cascading shells which is found along Kaiserstrasse in the city center. Constructed of sixty copper bowls stacked upward and topped by a metal ball which pours out water that spills downward into the numerous bowls.