Nuremburg: Not Just a Place for Nazis (oh yea, I went there!)

So did you know that Nuremberg boasts having the best Christmas market not only in Bavaria but in all of Germany. And I do have to say it's pretty awesome! It is HUGE too! But we'll get to that soon....
We did very little research before hitting this city-always a mistake in my opinion. My main goal here was to see the market and do a little shopping. However, there is actually a good bit to do here. One being the Albrecht Durer House/Museum. Who is Albrecht Durer you ask? First of all, I can't believe you don't know who he is. Secondly, I'm glad you asked! He was a pretty awesome painter and print maker from Nuremberg. He's kind of a big deal-if you've studied art you know him. To view who he is and what he's done, click here: http://www.albrecht-durer.org/
So I was pretty jazzed about getting to go to the home he bought in Nuremberg where he lived (and died) and created his works. It was quite an expensive house when, and where, he bought. I didn't take too many photos because I was so enamored with the (INCLUDED!) audio guide and looking at the house. Sadly there are no original pieces in the house but we did see some in Munchen at Old Pinakothek (where one of his most famous pieces resides, the "Self Portrait" in which he looks like Jesus [so they think/say]). But we did see his studio and replica presses that would be like the ones he used. It made me miss printmaking so much! I love that medium-I'm always jealous when my sister-in-law, Sarah, sends out cards with prints she's done. One day I too will be artsy and she won't be the only one in the family, muahahaaa!
Anyway, I digress....

Here is a reproduction of a press with a print on it-I really do know how to do that!

Of course we hit some churches but I figure you're getting tired of me posting photos of those so we'll skip to the market and food! Oh how I love food!! I'm not a big foodie and you all know how Matt and I are not the most adventurous when it comes to trying new things but we ate almost anything here-most things were pretty safe (except the white brats-don't eat those!) So when we saw these babies sizzling in a cart and had to try some....

Yummy potato pancakes....sooo greasy....soo good!

Now although these are made of edible things, you're not supposed to eat them. They are nut and prune people-yea I'm not kidding. We only saw them here and in Munchen, but a lot more people had them here. Matt wouldn't let me look at them closely-he was probably afraid I'd want one.

They're PRUUUUUUUUNE PEEEEOPLE!!!

The decor and atmosphere here was pretty awesome. The market was HUGE!! It covered all sorts of parts of the inner city. They even had a creepy kids are-why must animatronics be so creepy? Seriously, they're supposed to welcome kids not lure them into the dark, pedophilic lair.

No creepy Santas here! Just lovely decorations!

O (big, outdoor, plastic) Tannenbaum, How steadfast are your branches!

And no wintery, Christmasy, wonderland is complete with out horse drawn carriages right? Of course!! The answer is no-we didn't ride one. Those things can be rather pricey and we had a train to catch.

What are those Belgian horses doing in Germany?? Silly ponies-wrong country ;)
(Those are Belgian Cream Drafts for those who don't get my joke....)

All in all it was a fun day. We got some GREAT presents and ornaments and enjoyed walking around and seeing some nice churches. We didn't get to do any of the Nazi things (I know you were wondering when I was going to tie in the Nazis!) like the rally spot (which is supposed to be really cool!) so we'll have to visit another time.
Next stop, Sleeping Beauty's Castle!