Nürnberg, (Round Two), Deutschland

We have now ventured into Nuremberg twice!
I won't continue to update every time we visit the same city again, but some things worth sharing that we missed the first time: A toy museum, a torture dungeon and a few other notable touristy things!


 




The Nuremberg Toy Museum

• The toy museum is quite fascinating, but I would not recommend it for younger children, or toddlers. There are four stories of antique toys, trains, dolls, miniatures, etc, to view! I absolutely adored this museum, and my kids are old enough to have enjoyed themselves as well. It's really a toy history museum. You won't find a whole lot of hands on things to do inside. Lots of glass cabinets on every floor filled with nostalgia of my past, my parents past, and generations beyond. Photographers, and people with cameras should note that there is a no flash rule. Set your ISO a bit higher, crank that F stop, and you'll be fine. 

Our family of six paid 13 Euro for the entrance fee.

• We also ventured to the Town Hall and there we found the underground medieval dungeon tour! 
• It was pretty neat, but it's definitely a one time kind of thing. Not stroller or small kid friendly. It's not scary, but the tour is guided and can get a bit tight in some rooms. I am 5' 7", and had to duck under some doorways. There are stairs, and rugged terrain throughout. The tour is spoken in German only, although most of the guides do know English if you have a question to ask. 
• It costs 3.50 Euro per person, and lasts about 40 minutes. 
• What I found to be amusing is that while you are walking through the dungeon halls, you can look up through the vents and see people dining and walking the streets above you.

I also finally got to see the inside of St. Lorenz Church (my first cathedral visit in Europe!). 

Parts of this cathedral are not as old as they seem. The church took some major hits during the war, but the reconstruction beautifully matches the original foundation. You would never know that is was filled with rubble almost 70 years ago. War is ugly.

Two more interesting things: 

Next to the old City Hall building, you'll find a huge golden, ornate fountain known as Schöner Brunnen. If you turn the ring, it is said you'll receive good luck. Yup, I turned it.

Also, head over to the 'Marriage Carousel' fountain and explore it's charming and alarming uniqueness. The idea behind the art is quite funny when you read about it.

Glockenspiel at the top of Frauenkirche

All in all, we saw a buttload of things that we had missed before! I am glad we went back, although I knew we would since it's the biggest city near by. I am sure we'll return for the Christmas market this year (which I have heard is the Mother of all Christmas Markets)!