What to see in Nordlingen, itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest, including the Stadtmuseum, the Church of San Giorgio and the walls, do not miss the Christmas market.
Tourist information
The origins of Nordlingen are very ancient, there are written documents that mention it since 898 AD, when the name was Nordilinga.
Over the centuries the city experienced a remarkable development, until reaching the maximum notoriety and wealth during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, thanks above all to the fertile soil of the plain from which it is surrounded, which allowed the development of agriculture in parallel with that of the businesses.
Become a free imperial city in 1215, starting from the 14th century its walls were enlarged to integrate the hamlets that had developed around in the meantime.
During the Thirty Years War, the city lost half of its inhabitants, as well as much of the wealth and importance acquired.
Only in 1939 the number of inhabitants again reached that of 1618, or just 9000 citizens, this is the reason why there were no changes for three centuries.
The circle of walls with its ramparts has also been preserved to this day and, together with other historic buildings, contributes to making Nordlingen a center of attraction for visitors from all over the world.
For lovers of medieval buildings, it is pleasant to take a walk outside the city fortifications.
What see
The starting point for visiting the historic center is the Market Square with the Ball House and Casa Alta, a nine-storey barn.
The Ballroom has a sumptuous lattice gable, whose three floors protrude significantly forward.
It was mainly used as a place of sale for cloth merchants during trade fairs.
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A statue of Emperor Maximilian I, one of the city's benefactors, decorates the simple facade facing the Market Square.
Even the town hall opposite, one of the oldest in Germany, was built in the 13th century as a sales venue for fairs, but was already used as a city hall in 1382.
The Renaissance staircase with the door, which replaces the wooden staircase at the back of the building since 1618, is decorated with beautiful stone carvings. Opposite stands the former pawnshop, now home to the tourism body.
Following the Eisengasse to the right and turning into the first road on the left, you reach the square where the Kurschner House was located until 1955.
The grandiose building opposite once stood as a church of the order of the barefoot monks.
After the Reformation, it was used by the municipality as a barn, today it serves as a warehouse and as a town hall for important events.
The beautiful main door dates back to 1586, opposite is the white Kaisheimer house, from 1278 to 1803 the house of the Kaisheim imperial foundation, later court and district office, now the district court.
The Tandelmarkt road leads right into Nonnengasse and Mangasse, to be followed by continuing to the left.
Crossing the via Vordere Gerbergasse we leave the old and narrower area.
The Romanesque houses with pointed gables of the conciapelli on the left and right of the stream, testify to the high living culture of the craftsmen of Nordlingen.
At the western end of the road, the barn-like building called Holzhof, now used as a museum, has been moved to the right. Its exhibited collection is dedicated to the meteorite fall 15 million years ago, which caused the formation of the Nordlingen crater. Ries.
Since the astronauts of Apollo 14 and 17 have completed their practical training here, we know that a large meteorite has hit the earth at this point with a speed of 100,000 km / h and that the heat caused has given rise to new forms of rocks similar to those of the lunar craters.
At the end of the Gerbergasse, the hospital area begins, which continues beyond the crossing of the Baldinger Strasse.
In one of these buildings is the city museum, Stadtmuseum, which documents the history of Nordlingen.
The most interesting pieces of the collection are the reproductions of groups of skulls of the caves of Ofnet, dating back to around 11,000 years before Christ, the flute player of Roman times, the late Gothic Herlin altar and the diorama, with figures pond, which reproduces the famous battle of Nordlingen of 1634.
From Herrngasse an esplanade leads to the Eger, an equestrian gouache.
The Herrngasse ends in the Weinmarkt, the wine market, where the Maria Holl fountain commemorates the courageous hostess of the crown hotel who, despite 56 tortures, refused to give up, surviving the witchcraft trial.
From Neubaugasse you arrive, turning into Braugasse, to the majestic Winter house, from which you reach the Church of Our Lord, also called of the Savior which, consecrated in 1442 as a conventual church of the Carmelites, was modified in 1829.
Inside, the statues of the prophets near the western door, the frescoes on the walls, the high altar, the reliefs of the pulpit and the painting "Miracle of the Host" are interesting to see.
Following the Basteigasse you reach the city walls with the old bastide, used as an outdoor theater.
Proceeding along the fortifications you reach the Reimlinger gate, still intact with its wall.
After passing the Ellinger House, which in the past belonged to the Order of the Teutonic Knights, you enter the Reimlinger Strasse, continuing to arrive at the church of San Giorgio, whose bell tower is about 90 meters high.
Consecrated in 1505 as one of the largest hall churches in southern Germany, San Giorgio preserves a beautiful Baroque high altar, with late Gothic sculptures and tables and a baptismal stone from the same period.
Climbing 350 steps, it is possible to reach the top of the bell tower, from which to see a breathtaking view of the city.
To note the traditional Christmas market that takes place every year in the historic center of Nordlingen, a suggestive show unique in the world, especially at night when, between the magical light of candles and the scent of mulled wine, walking in the middle of the banquets, you can follow the path of the cribs, where you can see churches open day and night, as well as showcases, with the representation of the nativity of Jesus.
