Category Archives: Germany

Germany

Historischer Kunstbunker Overview

We booked a guided tour of the Historischer Kunstbunker which is a secret facility used during World War II to protect valuable artworks. If we hadn’t known what we were looking for, we would have walked right past it.

Doorway into the Art Bunker

The entrance to the Historischer Kunstbunker is hidden in plain sight, appearing as nothing more than an ordinary door set into a building that looks just like the rest on the street. There are no dramatic signs to suggest that behind the doors lies one of Nuremberg’s most important wartime hiding places.

entrance from street into the underground art storage areas

That quiet, almost secretive entrance set the tone for the entire experience. When the door opened and we descended the stone slope into the underground, the air grew cooler and heavier. Our guide explained that these tunnels were originally medieval beer cellars, later transformed during World War II in 1940 into a secure bunker for priceless works of art.

Generator and infrastructure of the bunker

We came to a section which branched off into areas where art was stored. It was easy to imagine wooden crates stacked along the walls, filling the chambers from floor to ceiling. Our guide described how paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and religious objects were carefully wrapped, labeled, and stored, with temperature and humidity closely controlled to prevent damage. The bunker extends approximately 78 feet (24 meters) underground.

The guide was asked who did all the labour and paid for the bunkers and she explained that Jews from the local war camp did the labour. That was a somber thought of how many people died and suffered for the creation of this hidden bunker. 

Some of the stollen art images on display.

There was a section of the bunker fortified with vault like doors. Behind these doors were artifacts and art of immense value. 

Vault like door in the Bunker

Perhaps the most powerful moment of the tour came when we learned that the Imperial Regalia of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Imperial Crown had also been hidden here.

There were several different areas of storage with fortified doors. During the war, the Nazis systematically looted art from occupied territories and Jewish collections. An estimated 20% of Europe’s artwork was stolen, with many pieces stored in the Kunstbunker for protection.

Some of the notable artworks stored here were Veit Stoss’ Annunciation: A significant altarpiece. The Erdapfel: A globe created by Martin Behaim in 1492 and the Codex Manesse: An important manuscript.

The idea that objects representing centuries of history and identity were stolen and concealed behind an ordinary door on a normal street was astonishing. 

“bis zum nächsten Mal, “

Germany

Nuremberg Trials

Located in the Palace of Justice, The Nuremberg Trials Museum, also known as the Memorium Nuremberg Trials, preserves the very place where the Nuremberg Trials were held, and where the world first attempted to hold leaders accountable for crimes against humanity.
Nuremberg Palace of Justice
When we arrived at the front of the building, we were surprised at just how ordinary it appeared. It looked like a typical government building. There was nothing about the exterior that hinted at the gravity of what had taken place inside. However from the moment we entered the building, there was a quiet weight in the air. This was not a museum meant for casual wandering, it was a place of Justice and for reflection.
Courtroom 600 where the Nuremberg Trials took place
We began by going into Courtroom 600 and we sat on one of the courtroom benches.  We looked at the layout of the courtroom and imagines how the court process that would have taken place.  It felt  surreal sitting in the actual courtroom on the actual bench. A few minutes later there was a semi transparent screen which lowered slowly down and the curtains closed and lights dimmed.
Courtroom 600 location of the Nuremberg Trials
The screen covered the whole front of the courtroom although we could see through the screen to the courtroom. There was a hush  and then original footage from the actual Nuremberg Trials began to play. Seeing the real defendants, hearing their voices, and watching the proceedings unfold in the very room where we were seated made the experience deeply personal. What was truly unique was that the courtroom layout was visible through the screen and if gave a sense that we were witnesses there in real time.  After about 20 minutes the screen lifted and we continued onto the next section which contained different displays. We gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of the trials, the legal challenges, the moral questions, and the lasting impact on international law and human rights. The Museum did not shy away from difficult truths, nor did it sensationalize them. Instead, it presented history with honesty and respect. It took us about two hours to slowly go through the different displays and read, watch historic video clips and see the entire displays.
window on the second floor where news cameras were located during the trials
By the end of our visit, we felt emotionally drained and it was a somber experience. While “enjoyable” may seem like an unusual word for such a place, it fits in the sense that the visit was enriching, educational, and deeply moving. “Bis zur Nistzeit”
Germany

Nuremberg Christmas Markets

In December we took a memorable four day trip to Nuremberg to experience its famous Christmas Markets.  We stayed in the heart of the old town centre, which allowed us easy access to explore the historic centre.

View of one of the historic streets we explored in Nuremberg

Walking into the main square for the first time, was so impressive.  The market sits right in the centre of the old town, surrounded by historic buildings.

We explored Nuremberg’s markets which stretched across different areas of the old town.  

Everywhere we turned there were glowing stalls decorated with evergreen branches, shimmering ornaments, and golden lights. 

Ray standing in the arch of the fortified wall of Nuremberg

The air was filled with the sound of cheerful Christmas music, and chatter and laughter and of course the smell of Sausages roasting on BBQ Grills. 

We wandered from one decorated stall to another, admiring handmade crafts, wooden toys, Children rides, candles, and festive keepsakes.

And oh, the food! We made sure to enjoy the flavours of the season. We had some Nuremberg sausages, grilled and tucked into fresh rolls with spicy Mustard.

Shelley and Ray enjoying traditional Nuremberg sausages

Of course, we couldn’t resist the gingerbread man cookie for dessert. 

There was a historic house which was decorated as an advent Calendar house.

Advent house in Nuremberg

Each window was decorated and numbered for each day in December.  Every evening at 6 PM they would play a traditional German Christmas song along with lighting of each window. We decided to stay enjoy some Glühwein and take in the show.

We walked along the fortified city walls and came to some beautiful areas in the heart of the city. 

 

The Christmas markets in Nuremberg were truly a memorable experience. One we enjoyed but our time in Nuremberg wasn’t only about Christmas. We also wanted to understand the city beyond the holiday cheer, so we spent time visiting some of its World War II historical sites. But that is for another Post.

“Ich wünsche dir alles Gute und frohe Weihnachten”

Germany

Christmas markets of Cologne Germany

This December, we spent four magical days exploring the enchanting Christmas markets in Cologne, Germany.

The city was alive with twinkling lights, the scent of roasted chestnuts, and the cheerful buzz of holiday spirit.

Each market we went to had its own unique charm, from the iconic Cathedral Market with its stunning backdrop of the Cologne Cathedral to the quaint charm of the Old Market with its whimsical decorations.


One of the highlights of our trip was indulging in the local food and drink.

We sampled delicious bratwurst, freshly baked pretzels, and a variety of sweet treats.

The mulled wine, or Glühwein, was a particular favorite—it warmed us from the inside out as we strolled through the chilly evening air.

We even took the oportunity to take a photo in the large mulled wine cups for fun.

The crisp cold reminded us of winters back home in Canada, adding a touch of nostalgia to our holiday adventure.

There was even ice skating and curling events. 


We couldn’t resist taking a ride on the Ferris wheel, which offered breathtaking views of the market lights and the Rhine River shimmering below.

Another memorable experience was our dinner at Peter Brauhaus, a traditional brewery-restaurant. 

Inside was an authentic german traditional Kölsch beer culture. It featured some long, shared wooden tables that encourage camaraderie among locals and visitors alike.

We sat along the table and enjoyed the hearty German food and enjoyed the cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

We really enjoyed our trip to Cologne’s Christmas markets. It was a perfect blend of festive cheer, delicious flavours, and cherished memories.

It reminded us of the simple joys of the season and left us with hearts full of gratitude and holiday spirit.

“Wir wünschen Ihnen ein frohes Weihnachtsfest und alles Gute für das neue Jahr.”

Germany

Dachau Concentration Camp

We took a tour and went to the Dachau concentration camp located outside of Munich. The tour began with a train ride to Dachau which was about 20 minutes away.

The train ride was emotional as we thought about the thousands of people forced into boxcars and sent to this concentration camp in the 1930’s and 40’s. It is hard to the terror they must have felt.

The train ramp at Dachau concentration camp

We arrived at Dachau and walked through a park-like trail before arriving at the main gate of the former Dachau Concentration Camp. Along the trail, there are information boards about the camp.

Trail towards Dachau Concentration Camp

We arrived at the main entrance of the camp. The entrance was through a gate arched in the centre of a building with a watchtower on the peak.

Entrance to the Dachau Concentration Camp

The iron gate which has the inscription  “Arbeit macht frei” (Work sets you free).

The iron gate bearing the notorious slogan “Arbeit macht frei” (Work sets you free)

We entered through the gate and saw a very large area which contained several buildings and large rows of rectangular gravel areas. On the right was a long building which was now used for the museum.

Museum building in Dachau Concentration camp.

Inside the museum, there were numerous rooms with displays and information about the camp.

Inside the Dachau Museum

We walked through the museum and read the information on how horrific it was. It was difficult to imagine just how much pain and suffering occurred in the building we were walking through. There were displays of images of prisoners and the living conditions they endured. It was a very emotional time walking through the museum and to see and read the terrible things that were done there.

After going through the museum we went into the yard of the concentration camp. This was also a surreal experience walking down the former rows of where the barracks were.

The gravel where the prisoner barracks were in Dachau Concentration Camp

Rows of bases of former prisoner barracks in the camp

There were rows and rows of barracks with a central road. Along the central lane were rows of trees of both sides.

Central road lined with trees between the prisoner barracks

We walked the central road and it was very long and hard to imagine the size and horror of all the barracks.

Museum image of the prisoner barracks in the 1930’s

We walked the length of the barracks then headed to a small barbwire gate which was off to one side of the camp. All along the perimeter of the camp was an area with a strip of grass and ditch before the barbwire fence which was electrified during the operation of the camp

The area along the perimeter of the concentration camp with grass, a ditch and electrified barbwire fence.

We walked through the gate to an area of the camp that was separated from the remainder of the camp.

The gate area to the separate section of the Dachau Concentration Camp

There was a brick building secluded in an area away from the remainder of the camp. This building was used to incinerate prisoners of the Nazi regime.

Building used to incinerate the bodies of people killed by the Nazi regime in the camp.

We went into the building and it was very emotional for us. The rooms were divided into a process used to remove their property, then their clothing from the victims before they were killed.

This is the room where the victims were told to disrobe to get ready for the “supposed” shower

They were then moved to the “shower” room and were gassed until they died.

Mock shower room used to gas the prisoners

They were then stacked in an another room and other prisoners would be forced to move them to the incinerators and burned. Victims were stacked three at a time in each incinerator and the ashes removed to the rear of the building and disposed of.

Incinerators of the Dachau Concentration Camp

We went outside to the rear of the building and came there were two monuments behind the building marking the thousands of victims buried in unmarked mass graves.

Incinerator room at the rear of the building

Here we saw the monuments for the thousands of victims buried in an unmarked mass graves.

Jewish monument for the thousands of dead at Dachau Concentration Camp

Monument for the thousands of dead at Dachau Concentration Camp

We then walked down a trail into a wooded area behind the building.

Trail behind the incinerator building in Dachau Concentration Camp

We saw a plaque which identified the area where the Nazi’s would use their pistols and execute prisoners.

Pistol range area in Dachau Concentration Camp where prisoners were executed

There was a wall at the other end of the pistol range where the prisoners would be killed.

Wall where prisoners would stand and be executed at Dachau Concentration Camp

The visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp was very emotional. The sheer realization that we were in the very location that this horrendous atrocity occurred gave us overwhelming feelings of sadness, heartbreak, and extreme grief. It was important to see and to remember that tyranny can happen and the high cost of freedom that has been paid.

“Auf Wiedersehen und einen schönen Tag”