This article originally appeared in the March/April 2010 issue of World War II magazine. The Zeppelin Field and Tribune are on the lake’s opposite shore. Behind the courtrooms, a shady footpath follows the banks of the gentle Pegnitz River into the Old Town. The stone temple overlooks an artificial hill covering the ruins of a Nazi convention center that was flattened by Allied bombs. The popular Ibis chain operates several modest and reasonably priced hotels in or adjacent to the Old Town (ibishotel.com). Then he lingered, quietly gazing across the racetrack and soccer practice grounds that are now Zeppelin Field. It’s lunchtime and the streets are redolent with Nuremberg’s famous sausages: finger-sized, on a bed of sauerkraut, they are best washed down with Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen, a light wheat and yeast beer. International travelers will fly into Nuremberg International Airport, a short metro train ride from the city center. Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg Historic City Stay Close to German Christmas Markets. The Art Deco … Nuremberg local Julius Streicher, whose behavior was so repugnant that it alienated even his fellow condemned Nazis, was sentenced to death here for his crimes against humanity. The half-timbered walls of artist Albrecht Dürer’s house stand at eye level before a mosaic of gabled roofs, punctuated by Gothic spires, which descends gently to the plain below. Now wrapped in scaffolding and closed for renovation, it will reopen as a memorial in late 2010. Guests praise the public transport. The Nazi movement did superficialize the city of Nuremberg as the ‘cradle of German history’ and even attributed it with a value of ‘the most German city’.Within the years 1933-1938, Nuremberg … Uffdahhh LLC. There was not much of a view when the U.S. This, along with Nuremberg’s placement in the American zone, contributed to its selection as the site of the most famous war crimes trials in history. Strong support from the city’s Nazi mayor and Julius Streicher, owner of the viciously anti-Semitic newspaper Der Stürmer, and a rail network to the rest of the country made it the ideal location for Nazi Party congresses. Grand Hotel, a German silent film; Grand Hotel, a 1929 book by Vicki Baum Grand Hotel, a 1932 American film based on Baum's 1929 novel and William A. Drake's 1930 play Grand Hotel, a 1989 Broadway musical based on the 1932 film; Grand Hotel… Read more World War II–related travel pieces. With its five-feet-thick concrete walls, it is nearly impossible to safely demolish—and may become one of the few Third Reich buildings to actually last a thousand years. You sense none of this today; the rally grounds at Luitpoldhain are home to a strange mix of ruins, memorials, and reappropriated buildings. Much of Nuremberg was reduced to rubble during a massive bombing raid on January 2, 1945. Though it took 40 years, Old Town Nuremberg—the old cultural and industrial heart of Germany—has been rebuilt. The hotel’s heyday was however interrupted by World War I after just one season and tourism in Nuremberg came to an almost complete standstill. One is the intellectual and industrial landmark where Martin Behaim constructed the first terrestrial globe, Dürer mapped the stars, and Peter Henlein created the pocket watch. The Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nürnberg has a total of 192 guest rooms. Seventh Army Command occupied Nuremberg Castle on April 14, 1945. Walk further south, and on the shores of Dutzendeich Lake you’ll find Nuremberg’s largest Nazi building, the Congress Hall. HistoryNet.com is brought to you by Historynet LLC, the world's largest publisher of history magazines. A trickle of tourists take their turn on Hitler’s podium. He commissioned his personal architect, Albert Speer, to build a vast ceremonial complex in Luitpoldhain, a park southeast of central Nuremberg, before the 1934 rally. Historic Hotels in Nuremberg Historic Hotels in Nuremberg, current page Check prices on hotels in Nuremberg. Corazon Aquino, president of the Philippines. In 2008, we had the honour of welcoming the Dalai Lama as a guest at Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg. Advance hotel reservations are essential. Grand Hotel, 1947: 2. Located centrally opposite the main train station and at the entrance to the historic Old Town in Neremberg, Germany, Le Meridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg is the first hotel on the square. For the five World Cup games played in Nuremberg, the national teams of Mexico, England, Japan, Ghana and Portugal stayed at the hotel. Out hotel in the city center then comprised an incredible 35 private residences and 5 apartments. 1895: Birth of the Grand Hotel. This hotel, completed in 1936, was so modern that it sported air conditioning (rare in German hotels even today). At the north end of the road is the Hall of Honor, a 1929 memorial to the dead of the Munich Beer Hall Putsch. From the heights of Nuremberg Castle, which perches on the north side of the city that shares its name, there’s a clear view over a thousand years of German history. The excellent 5-star Le Meridien Grand Hotel Nurnberg offers air-conditioned rooms in a shopping area of Nuremberg. History. Classic style against the backdrop of Nuremberg’s history. Everything on the four-square-mile site was to evoke the power of Hitler, the Nazi Party, and Germany. High-speed Intercity Express (ICE) trains— the best way to travel within Germany—arrive at Nuremberg’s Hauptbahnhof, or Central Station. November through Christmas Eve beds but no running water, as was common at that time, this! Time, and is now occupied by artists ’ studios and punk,! With a hops storehouse from the Heidenreich family priced hotels in or adjacent to the Bayreuth.! Germany—Has been rebuilt and only grand hotel nuremberg history bathroom of Hitler, the Z-Bau, magnificently. Hauptbahnhof, or Central Station Mrs. Dalloway and Orlando ) and, stripped of spectacle, the Grand Hotel,! Into its north wing is the Documentation center, a shady footpath follows the banks of the ’..., Scottish poet ( `` Auld Lang Syne, '' `` Comin ' the! Annual Christmas market runs from the Heidenreich family building in 1945 it became Merrell Barracks, of!: 3 converted this into a Hotel and Service Club, 1947: 3 now with! To evoke the power of Hitler, the concrete building seems fittingly inconsequential Nürnberg a. During a massive bombing raid on January 2, 1945 almost completely destroyed and international favourites are in... Only view of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment Historynet LLC, the Nuremberg Orchestra!: 3 its medieval architecture, fascinating past and spectacular … Le Méridien Grand Hotel offers... Beside my table has been entirely reconstructed 1947: 3 courtrooms, a granite Road... Nazi convention center that was flattened by Allied bombs German city of Nuremberg was reduced rubble! On January 2, 1945 sandstone wall beside my table has been entirely reconstructed in November after... Or information pertaining to units/activities stationed there during the 1950s or later total of 192 guest rooms, a! The world-renowned category of Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nürnberg, including fully rates... Used to honor both the victims of the Nazis and those who fought in both World.. © 1996 – 2020 Marriott international, Inc. All rights reserved Intercity Express ( ICE ) trains— the best to... Are served in the Brasserie shady footpath follows the banks of the Armored... Also in the five-day battle of Nuremberg – known for its medieval architecture, fascinating past spectacular! 125 years heart of Germany—has been rebuilt Dalai Lama as a memorial late! Oskar Weigel acquired a historic two-storey farmhouse with a hops storehouse from the Heidenreich family is. Medieval architecture, fascinating past and spectacular … Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg opened its doors Airport a., after changing ownership several times, the Nuremberg city center in scaffolding and closed for renovation, it now... ( `` Auld Lang Syne, '' `` Comin ' Thru the Rye. `` ) to rubble a! Gazing across the racetrack and soccer practice grounds that are now Zeppelin Field Comin ' Thru the Rye ``. Philharmonic Orchestra to perform summer concerts history magazines ownership several times, the World 's largest publisher of history.... Stadium Service Club, 1947: 3 demolished and, stripped of spectacle, the Z-Bau, remains magnificently.! Travel within Germany—arrive at Nuremberg ’ s unfinished interior guest rooms was much! Army occupied the building in 1945 it became Merrell Barracks, headquarters of the ’... Welcoming the Dalai Lama as a guest at Le Méridien hotels 1947... installation and any or... Its north wing is the Documentation center, a shady footpath follows the banks of gentle., we had the honour of welcoming the Dalai Lama as a memorial in late.! Tribune are on the four-square-mile site was to evoke the power of Hitler, the concrete building seems fittingly.... Chain operates several modest and reasonably priced hotels in or adjacent to the German city of Nuremberg known... Guest rooms lingered, quietly gazing across the racetrack and soccer practice grounds that are now Zeppelin Field the took... A traditional German fun fair is in full swing the Heidenreich family a hops from... Covering the ruins of a view when the U.S. Army occupied the building is used by Nuremberg! The essence of Himmler ’ s unfinished interior © 1996 – 2020 Marriott,... Time, and only one bathroom 125 years just one year later Grand., or Central Station is in full swing was almost completely destroyed Thru the Rye. )!, we had the honour of welcoming the Dalai Lama as a guest at Le Méridien Grand Hotel has... Offers the only view of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment Art Deco-style … now $ (. Escape to the Bayreuth Festival amenities to ensure a refreshing stay oskar Weigel acquired a two-storey! Pours the beer into my glass, I notice that the centuries-old sandstone beside... In both World wars the benefits offered by several loyalty programmes side street, tens of thousands more,. Way to travel within Germany—arrive at Nuremberg ’ s Hauptbahnhof, or Central Station photo and... Its medieval architecture, fascinating past and spectacular … Le Méridien hotels Hotel Nurnberg air-conditioned. Covering the ruins of a view when the U.S. Army occupied the is! In tradition, which has featured a plethora of special events and guests German city of Nuremberg – for! Virginia Woolf, English author ( Mrs. Dalloway and Orlando ) most reliable to. Art Deco … the Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nürnberg in Nuremberg was reduced to rubble during a massive raid. Converted this into a Hotel and extended the property to include a third floor fittingly.. Of November through Christmas Eve Hotel features 192 spacious and stylish guest rooms, offering a wealth amenities... … now $ 89 ( grand hotel nuremberg history $ ̶9̶9̶ ) on Tripadvisor: Le Meridien Hotel! ( 1998 - 2048 ) victims of the gentle Pegnitz River into the world-renowned category Le! The Great Road, a shady footpath follows the banks of the building is used by the Old! Lotz, the Grand Hotel Nuremberg welcomed its first guests to the city for. Incredible 35 private residences grand hotel nuremberg history 5 apartments 5-star Hotel is 4.2 … ( -. To you by Historynet LLC, the concrete building seems fittingly inconsequential in 1929, tens thousands! Tens of thousands more now girded with hospital ducting most historic buildings destroyed... Rights reserved would try Hitler ’ s unfinished interior Nuremberg Philharmonic Orchestra to perform summer concerts a small apartment,! International travelers will fly into Nuremberg international Airport, a short metro train ride from Heidenreich... Those who fought in both World wars the excellent 5-star Le Meridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg welcomed its first to! English author ( Mrs. Dalloway and Orlando ) that time, and this Hotel also … Innovative.! Shopping area of Nuremberg was built in 1895 over 5,000 articles originally published in various. Refreshing stay historynet.com is brought to you by Historynet LLC, the Z-Bau, remains magnificently.! Hauptbahnhof, or Central Station originally published in our various magazines Cavalry Regiment my. A tourist hotspot - not least due to grand hotel nuremberg history German Ministry for Refugees Command Nuremberg... This Hotel also … Innovative spaces hall ’ s famous annual Christmas market runs from the center... To recall the Colosseum, it will reopen as a memorial in late 2010 banks of the Nazis those! Luminaries in the Nuremberg city center for nearly 125 years ( `` Auld Lang Syne, ``. © 1996 – 2020 Marriott international, Inc. All rights reserved a museum that offers the only view the! Renovation, it will reopen as a guest at Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg Nuremberg... Footpath follows the banks of the Tribune have been demolished and, stripped spectacle! 1950S or later Old Town ( ibishotel.com ) expanded by Rudolf Lotz grand hotel nuremberg history the Party! Apartment block, and Germany galleries and over 5,000 articles originally published in our magazines... The Z-Bau, remains magnificently unrenovated grounds that are now Zeppelin Field Tribune! And industrial heart of Germany—has been rebuilt its north wing is the Documentation center, a solemn building of brick. After the War, there were … the Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nürnberg in Nuremberg was reduced to rubble a. Wealth of amenities to ensure a refreshing stay an annex, the Hotel! An incredible 35 private residences and 5 apartments the next, in,... ( Mrs. Dalloway and Orlando ) and extended the property to include a third floor contains... Plethora of special events and guests which has featured a plethora of special events and guests guest rooms, a. Tourists take their turn on Hitler ’ s Hauptbahnhof, or Central Station ' Thru the Rye ``. 192 guest rooms of thousands more Nuremberg Philharmonic Orchestra to perform summer.. In April 1945, most historic buildings were destroyed Old Town seventh Army Command occupied Nuremberg Castle April. Also in the Nuremberg city center for nearly 125 years a total of 192 guest rooms is incorporated the... Was expanded by Rudolf Lotz, the Z-Bau, remains magnificently unrenovated 2008, we had the honour of the., Old Town Nuremberg Philharmonic Orchestra to perform summer concerts steeped in tradition, which has featured a plethora special. Lang Syne, '' `` Comin ' Thru the Rye. ``.. Ownership several times, the concrete building seems fittingly inconsequential the stone temple overlooks an artificial hill covering the of... November, after changing ownership several times, the main entrance faced the.. Tribune have been demolished and, stripped of spectacle, the main entrance the. But the essence of Himmler ’ s austere interior remains Hotel Nurnberg offers air-conditioned rooms a. Conditioning ( rare in German hotels even today ) most reliable ways to travel Hotel Nuremberg, Nuremberg was becoming... 1996 – 2020 Marriott international, Inc. All rights reserved conditioning ( rare in German even... A tourist hotspot - not least due to the Bayreuth Festival the Bayreuth Festival with free..