Erlangen-Nuremberg region

Many of the region’s most important museums are located in Nuremberg. One of the most interesting museums is Albrecht Dürer’s house, which gives visitors an insight into the life and work of one of Nuremberg’s most famous citizens. Nuremberg is also home to the Germanisches Nationalmuseum (German National Museum), the largest museum of German art and culture.

Modern art and contemporary design can be found in the Neues Museum (New Museum), a striking modern building which is flooded with light and creates a stunning contrast to the neighbouring Handwerkerhof (craftsman’s yard) and old city wall.

Industrial history is brought to life in the Museum Industriekultur (Museum for Industrial Culture), and the DB Museum showing the history of the German railway company Deutsche Bahn covers everything from the time when the first German railway was laid between Nuremberg and Fürth to the latest generation of high-speed ICE trains. Nuremberg’s role in the toy-making industry is documented in the Spielzeugmuseum (Toy Museum), while the permanent exhibition at the Castle allows visitors to look back at Nuremberg’s past as an imperial city.

The darkest chapter in Nuremberg’s history is remembered at the Documentation Centre at the Nazi Party Rally Grounds in the permanent exhibition which deals with the causes, context and consequences of the National Socialist reign of terror. The period which followed is documented in the ‘Memorium Nuremberg Trials’ in Nuremberg’s Palace of Justice – the place where world history was written between November 1945 and October 1946.

The festivals held range from the International Festival for Spiritual Music (ION), and the open air event ‘Rock im Park’ to the Bardentreffen world music festival, which transforms Nuremberg city centre into a colourful venue for musicians from all over the world for a whole weekend – free of charge.

Both the ‘Klassik Open Air’ concerts held in the summer by the Nürnberger Sinfonie Orchestra attract fans of classical music for a picnic at Luitpoldhain park. Concerts, opera, drama and ballet can be found at Staatstheater Nürnberg (Nuremberg State Theatre), the centre of the city’s theatre scene, as well as many smaller venues.

One of the theatre season’s particular highlights is the annual international theatre festival ‘ARENA… of the young Arts’, a six-day event which takes place in Erlangen with a huge variety of performance art, dance and physical theatre. Theater Erlangen has an extremely varied programme every year.

Erlangen is also one of the stages for the annual ‘Fränkischer Sommer’ music festival which involves many of the towns and districts in Middle Franconia. Among the annual highlights in Erlangen are the International Comic Salon, the international figuren.theater.festival and the Poetenfest.

Comödie in Fürth is the place to go in the region if you want to enjoy some comedy.

There’s always something going on in the region, even away from all the large music and theatre festivals. This is because of the numerous large and small clubs, stages and concert venues it offers.

There are many other events in the region that ensure that there is something to see and do throughout the entire year. The Blaue Nacht (Blue Night) in Nuremberg in May is the cultural event of the year, with theatres, museums and other art institutions opening their doors and offering visitors a chance to explore the city’s art and cultural scene.

Also in May and September is Nuremberg’s Trempelmarkt, a popular flea market which is the largest of its kind in Germany. A similar event, the Grafflmarkt, takes place in Fürth in June and while it might not be quite as big, it certainly has just as much atmosphere.

Bergkirchweih, also affectionately known as ‘der Berch’ – the largest beer festival in Franconia and the nicest in Germany according to some – starts in Erlangen on the Thursday before Pentecost. The festival takes place above the cellars where Erlangen’s breweries used to store the beer. Seats under old linden, chestnut and oak trees transform part of the Burgberg hill into the largest beer garden in Europe.

Another event which is just as much a fixed part of Erlangen’s social calendar is the Schlossgartenfest, the University’s garden party, which traditionally takes place on the last Saturday in June. Against the backdrop of the Erlangen Schloss and the orangery, lit up by thousands of lights and accompanied by a spectacular firework display, it is one of the largest and most beautiful garden parties in Europe.

The volume steadily increases over the course of the summer, for example at the Norisring Rennen, the DTM series’ only city track.

In autumn, when the nights grow longer, the focus turns to science in the cities of Nuremberg, Fürth and Erlangen. Once every two years, the Long Night of Sciences gives visitors a chance to go behind the scenes at some of the larger public and private research institutions in the area. The six higher education institutions in the region, companies involved in research and other institutions which work in scientific fields open their labs and lecture theatres to the public.

As Christmas approaches, the stands are opened at Nuremberg’s Christmas market. The market’s little wooden stands sell traditional, often hand-made Christmas decorations and sweet treats, such as Spekulatius biscuits and gingerbread-like Lebkuchen.