Nurnberg's Old Town bordered by Vestnertorgraben from the north, Westtorgraben from the West, Frauentorgraben from the south and Konigstorgraben from the east is divided roughly into two by the still water of the Pegnitz River. The north section is dominated by the Hauptmarkt and crowned further north with the Kaiserburg while pedestrianised Konigstrasse dominates the south section.
Very probably, visitors will come here by train which stops at Nurnberg's Hauptbahnhof, the big modern train station south of the Old Town and a stone's throw from sights and attractions. Take the subway under Bahnhofplatz and walk straight ahead until you reach Konigstor, one of the entrances through the medieval fortifications of the Old Town. On the left side, you can visit the Craftsmen's Courtyard, a maze of lanes that house numerous small shops displaying handmade souvenirs and Bavarian handicrafts. From here, proceed towards Konigstrasse, the town's main shopping artery. Meander among outdoor restaurant tables and crowds of people until you reach the Protestant Church of St.Martha on one side and the Gothic convent Church of St.Clare on the other. Continue further north along Konigstrasse, past the Kaufhof department store and numerous speciality shops, restaurants and ice-cream parlours until you reach Lorenzer platz where the massive Gothic Church of St.Lawrence predominates the picture. In front of the church, a daily colourful vegetable market fills up the square with movable stalls, kiosks and crowds of locals. Almost touching the north side of Lorenzkirche, a small beautiful bronze fountain called 'The Fountain of Virtues' adorns Konigstrasse.
Walk further north down Konigstrasse, past the huge Karlstadt department store and you'll soon come across another bronze fountain on your right. Here during long summer days, buskers, musicians and singers entertain the crowds among further market stalls. Further down Konigstrasse on your left, the Kathe Wohlfahrt shop-museum at Konigstrasse 8 displays a wide range of unusual Christmas decorations in wood, ceramics and glass.
Konigstrasse ends with a beautiful arched stone bridge which extends over the Pegnitz River. Try to be here after sunset and you will enjoy a unique view of the river illuminated by artificial lighting. The big building bordering the right side of the river is the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, erected in 1331.
This bridge leads down towards Plobenhofstrasse which after 50 metres or so opens into the Hauptmarkt, the huge Old Town square which is used nowadays to host various cultural activities. Lined with numerous food stores, souvenir shops, pubs and restaurants with outdoor seating, this square is also partly occupied by the Gothic Church of Our Lady whose intricate exterior architecture and mechanical clock were under restoration when I visited. In the northwest corner of the square, a 14th-century artistic fountain called Schoner Brunnen has recently been restored to its former beauty.
The street behind the fountain leads to Sebalder platz whose west section is taken over by the Church of St.Sebaldus, the Evangelical Lutheran parish church since 1525. The Town Hall, a mixture of Renaissance and late Baroque architecture occupies the opposite side of Sebalder platz. After visiting the Town Hall, go down the steps to see the medieval dungeons and torture chamber underneath. Once again on Sebalder platz, go up Burgstrasse until you reach the Fembo House City Museum at Burgstrasse 15. The museum's main attraction is the Noricama, an excellent multivisual film about the history of Nurnberg.
The last 50 metres of Burgstrasse are hard to climb but numerous wooden benches where you can rest and enjoy views of the town below line the walkways. This hill leads towards the former Imperial Stables, used nowadays as a youth hostel. From here walk west towards the Kaiserburg. This Imperial Castle houses a splendid Romanesque Chapel, an Imperial Hall, a Knight's Hall and an interesting History Museum which depicts besides the history of the castle the development of weapons and defence technology. While touring the surrounding gardens, you come across a cluster of intact medieval timber houses. One of these is the former residence of Albrecht Durer. If you want to get acquainted with the painter's life and works, visit Albrecht Durer's museum at Albrecht-Durer-strasse 39, south of the castle.