Kaiserburg, Nuremberg

For me, Nürnberg is a special place. Unlike many palaces, the "burg" (castle) is not a showplace for the wealth of the nobility. Indeed, the castle is very rustic (it's Medieval, you know), and is really quite barren of beautiful furniture, art, tapestries, and other beautiful furnishings. Granted, when the Holy Roman Emperor (whoever it was at the time) showed up, all of the wealthy families brought furnishings and art from their mansions and castles and decorated the castle interior with their own furnishings for as long as the Emperor was in town. As soon as the great man departed, the nobles reclaimed their property, lugged it all back home, and the castle was mostly deserted until the old boy showed up again. Then, it was haul all the valuables back to the castle and hope again that the HRE didn't steal them blind. The picture shows one of the main towers of the castle plus the stables, which is now a wonderful hostel. It is part of the Deutsche Jugendherberge (German Youth Hostel Association) and part of "Hostels International" organization. If the hostel is not filled, the 26 year old age limit is waived, but there is an additional €3.00 per night fee for travelers over age 26 and membership in the Hosteling International Organization is required. Within a short three or four blocks are lots of the Nürnberg attractions including the castle, Albrecht Dürer Haus, the City Hall, the castle museum, numerous restaurants (including two of my favorites, "Goldenes Posthorn" and Bratwurst Haüsle), many serving the famous Nürnberger Bratwurst (world's finest , in my opinion). One can easily spend an entire day within just a few blocks of the castle visiting the small streets and shops, the "Tiergartenertor and Tiergartentorplatz). "Weissgerberstrasse" is well-worth a stroll, the castle gardens are very relaxing, and one can actually walk around most of the entire "old city" on the sentry walk on the wall. Sebalduskirche is also in the immediate vicinity. To see everything that Nürnberg has to offer requires at least three full days. It's worth it!