The historic medieval city of Nuremberg (Nürnberg) is one of Germany's most important centers for arts and culture and one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. The city has also long been associated with advances in science and technology, particularly in printing. It was home to Europe's first printing press and a center for the study of astronomy; it was here that Nicolaus Copernicus's most famous work was published in 1543.
Despite having been severely damaged in WW2, many of the medieval buildings in the Old Town (Altstadt) have been painstakingly restored to their former glory. In fact, most of the top attractions in Nuremberg are located within its historic city walls, which extend some five kilometers around the Old Town. If you can, you may want to plan your visit to coincide with one of Nuremberg's many festivals. Two favorites are the famous two-week-long Old Town Festival musical and folk event and International Organ Week, which runs from late June to mid-July.
