Nürnberg

30 April 2022.

Breakfast was another leisurely affair in greater Hohenfels capped off with homemade sourdough bread provided by one of Glen's colleagues who has definitely mastered this particular skill.

Eventually we got ourselves together, loaded into the car and headed off to the Parsberg train station where the six of us caught the train to Nürnberg.

Exiting the train station via an underground passage we were immediately confronted by one of the original main gates of the old city. And just inside the gate was a small group of shops just behind the tower and wall. Leaving the gate we began our stroll heading toward one of the city's main attractions, the Kaiserberg Castle.

Parsberg station

part of the old walls that once encircled what is today the old part of the city

small group of shops tucked in behind the tower

back onto the pedestrianized portion of the old city

We popped into Saint Lorenz church (one can never see enough gothic churches) and stopped for coffee to await the city's glockenspiel at noon. Soon afterwards we found ourselves in the large open air city market and meandered among the tents of everything from fresh food to pottery.  We were so impressed by the fresh vegetables that it was decided then and there to stop on our way back to the train and pick up some goodies for supper.

 

Saint Lorenz church

back onto the street

the group standing in front of the side entrance to Saint Lorenz

the lactating fountain

Ship of Fools by Kurt Klutentreter

city open air market

Since it was lunchtime we made our way to one of the city's most famous brat houses to sample the world-famous Nürnberger brat. I had mine with potato salad (incredible) while several others opted for sauerkraut. The brats could be ordered in 6-, 8-, 10-, or 12-sausages (they are small though). One of the popular ways to handle the sausages is to also order one of the rolls and create your own sandwich (Glen handled this particular option with ease).  Quite a few people were doing the same, particularly at the outside tables scattered along the walkway.

Brautwursthausle

Nürnberger brats

outside the brat haus

From the brat haus we continued out trek upwards to the castle where we had not only superb views of the city but also enjoyed a stroll around the castle walls.

strolling toward the castle

Kaiserberg castle

Glen, Susie, Kiera, Liam, Christina and me

rooftop drainage

inside the castle

Walking down from the castle it began to rain lightly and the group opted to stop for ice cream. We waited out the downpour in the gelateria while the kids enjoyed some truly stupendous ice cream treats.

Eventually we had to leave and so we headed back out into the light rain, making our way back to the train station. The train wasn't as crowded as our morning one and so we all got to sit (more or less) together.

protest in the rain outside Saint Lorenz

getting our meat for supper out of a vending machine

That evening Christina fixed a delicious supper of boiled weisswurst (white sausage), a Munich specialty, blanched spargel (white asparagus), a Bavarian spring specialty, and roasted potatoes, while Glen grilled a half dozen slices of pork (from the vending machine).

Tomorrow it's Sunday, May Day in Europe and we plan to be lazy before driving into Regensburg. Stay tuned!

A walk up to Castle Kallmünz

29 April 2022, late afternoon and early evening.

After an afternoon spent relaxing at the MacD home the six of us piled into their Subaru and headed out for the small town of Kallmünz. The plan was to take a leisurely stroll up to the ruined castle overlooking the town and the river Naab and then back into town for pizza at the Trattoria Trinacria. (Although truth be told Liam would have calzone.)

We parked just outside of town and walked a short distance to the path that would take us to the top of the hill.

Warning: The following contains an incredibly large number of images of castle stuff. Viewer discretion is advised.

parking lot just outside of town with the castle in the center distance

path entrance

we were unclear what these columns were for and there was no signage

nearing the top

curious wood carvings that appeared to be looking in every direction

lovely view of the town and the river; our restaurant overlooks the dam in the photo

exploring inside the castle ruins

our exit and the other way into the ruins but a steep walk

the grounds were substantial in size and long ago there must have have been quite a large number of structures within the walls, now all gone

out the gate and the walk down

uneven steps made for unstable footing

the in-town entrance to the path up to the castle

German memorial for local soldiers who died in World Wars I and II

the town, while small, is home to some rather interesting architecture

. . .  and the occasional bit of sculpture

down to the river and watching the ducks navigate the rapids

our supper venue - the Trattoria Trinacria

sitting outside overlooking the rapids

on the way back to the car we came upon a meat vending machine; quite popular as we would discover

 

Tomorrow off to Nürnberg!