Surrounded by the towers and walls of its medieval fortifications, Nuremburg is a city steeped in the bloody history of central Europe. From the middle ages to the modern age, Bavaria has seen and experienced some of Europe's most momentous and tragic events, all of which have left an indelible mark.

Like many other German cities, large parts of Nuremburg were destroyed during the second world war. However, the surviving parts of the Old Town, combined with a programme of restoration have left an architectural legacy that borders on the sublime. This is particularly evident in the Handwerkerhof district. Visitors are encouraged to take a stroll through the 'little town at the Königstor' where traditional hand-crafted artefacts meet typical Franconian hospitality in charming and authentic surroundings.

Visitors should explore the wealth of pewterers, leather workers, glass cutters, potters, candle makers, gold and silversmiths and glass painters who have set up workshops in the narrow cobbled streets cast into shadow by low overhanging half-timbered houses. Indeed, Nuremburg's greatest appeal is the Old Town, where beautiful Gothic churches and sleepy cobblestoned squares create an unforgettable atmosphere.

This is also conveniently where most of Nuremburg's greatest tourist attractions are located. The Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg) sits atop the hill above the Old Town like a throne. As one of the most important imperial palaces of the middle ages, it was used between 1050 to 1571 by every emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The impressive residential and state rooms of the Palas, the Romanesque double chapel, the Sinwell Tower and an impressive collection of arms and military equipment are all open to the public.

The gruesome Lochgefängnisse (Medieval Dungeons) may be popular with children in particular as they learn of the grisly nature of medieval justice. The dungeons known as 'the Hole' are located near the Main Market Square on the way towards the castle. The dungeons were installed in the vaulted cellars beneath the Old Town Hall in the 14th century, and feature twelve small cells and a torture chamber and were used as a 'detention facility' for those awaiting trial.

Given the widespread destruction of Nuremburg in 1944-45, many of the city's art treasures were stored for safety in the medieval rock-cut cellars 24 metres beneath the castle hill. The original installations, including the spartan guardrooms, can still be seen.

And it is to explore Nuremburg's history throughout this period that proves to be the greatest draw for tourists. Although Nuremburg may have a history stretching over a thousand years, it is its notoriety as the ideological birthplace of Nazism that has made it a mainstream tourist destination. To address this reputation, in 2001 the Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände museum was opened. The museum includes a permanent exhibition entitled 'Fascination and Violence', which attempts to explain the powerful hold the Nazi party held over the German people. It also explores the use of propaganda in spreading the Nazi message and its role in the Holocaust against the Jews.

Nuremburg is a spectacularly beautiful, typically Bavarian city. Despite its rich cultural and historical heritage, Nuremburg is a city that has still not come to terms with its past. Its people display a tangible sense of guilt that seems to compel them to be among the friendliest residents of Europe. Nevertheless, the people of this vibrant and modern metropolis never let this stand in the way of a good time, and neither should you!

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