Press Releases

April 2012

The Year of Art 2012: academy anniversary and special Dürer show

Nürnberg is geared to art in 2012. The Academy of Fine Arts, Germany’s oldest art academy, celebrates its 350th anniversary this yearand marks the occasion with an exhibition of the history of the academy since it was founded in 1662.

Starting on 24 May 2012, directly after the end of Interzoo, the Germanisches Nationalmuseum presents Germany’s biggest exhibition in honour of Albrecht Dürer for 40 years. 150 exhibits of Dürer’s early works will be on show until 2 September. Albrecht Dürer’s house in the Burgstrasse district, where Dürer lived from 1509 to 1526, also shines in May with a new look following reconstruction work. The house is the only Renaissance artist’s house in Northern Europe that has been largely preserved in its original form.

From the Imperial Castle to the vaults

The medieval Imperial Castle is the city’s landmark.Visitors enjoy a breathtaking view over the old town centre from its battlements and from the Sinwellturm tower. The imperial castle museum and the imperial chambers are open to visitors. A stroll through the old town centre is also worthwhile,and should definitely include a look at the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) and the Beautiful Fountain on the Hauptmarkt, the main market square. Legend has it that turning the ring on the fountain makes three wishes come true. Turning it three times is said to bring lots of children.

Today, the romantic flair of the Weinstadel (Wine Store), Henkersteg and Henkerturm (Hangman’s Bridge and Tower) ensemble at the heart of the old town of Nürnberg enchants visitors from all over the world. In medieval times, however, this area was no preferred residential quarter for honourable citizens of Nürnberg due to the lepers and the city’s executioner in the immediate neighbourhood. The Weinstadel is 48 metres long, which makes it one of the biggest timber-framed buildings in Germany.

Visitors can get to know Nürnberg underground by taking a walk through the historic vaults cut out of the bright sandstone. The cellars were originally used for brewing and storing beer. The guided tours of the centuries-old vaults also include a visit to the Altstadthof pub brewery.

Varied museum scene

The museum scene in Nürnberg is extremely varied. A visit to the Toy Museum is a rewarding experience for the whole family. The museum shows wooden and tin toys as well as modern classics,and there are altogether some 65,000 exhibits for visitors to admire. Technical fans get their money’s worth in the Railway Museum,where an exciting journey from the beginnings of the railway to the modern-day rail fleet is lined up for visitors.

The Nürnberg War Crimes Trials

The so-called “Nürnberg War Crimes Trials” against the main war criminals took place in Nürnberg after the end of the Second World War. The “Memorium Nürnberg Trials” has been created in courtroom 600 of the court building of that time,where the history, course and consequences of the Nürnberg War Crimes Trials are examined. The permanent exhibition “Fascination and Terror” in the north wing of the Documentation Centre in the Nazi Party rally grounds is also a reminder of the crimes of the National Socialism period.

Trips to the countryside

A visit to Nürnberg Zoo is certainly an unforgettable experience. In the spacious park, wild animals live in the immediate neighbourhood of local species of birds and mammals. Those looking for peace and quiet and nature lovers should plan a trip to the Franconian Switzerland nature park, one of Germany’s oldest and most popular holiday regions. Franconian Switzerland with its varied network of trails is a paradise for hikers.

Tips on events, guided tours and places of interest are available from the Nuremberg Convention and Tourist Office:
Tel +49 (0) 9 11. 23 36-0
Fax +49 (0) 9 11. 23 36-1 66
tourismus@nuernberg.de (send enquiry)
tourismus.nuernberg.de

As the world’s biggest pet supplies exhibition, Interzoo is aimed at buyers from the trade, veterinarians, pet boarding houses, pet grooming salons and official agencies. More than 38,000 trade visitors from 115 countries came to Nürnberg for Interzoo in 2010, including the top buyers from the large trading companies in Germany and abroad.

The promoter of Interzoo is Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Zoologischer Fachbetriebe GmbH (WZF), which has appointed NürnbergMesse GmbH to organize the exhibition.

Contact for visitors:
Tel +49 (0) 9 11. 86 06-49 69
Fax +49 (0) 9 11. 86 06-49 68
visitorservice@nuernbergmesse.de (send enquiry)

Photos of the bands at the Interzoo Party and photos of Interzoo 2012 are available in print quality under Press Centre / Media Center / Photo Service: www.interzoo.com/mediacenter