Hitler's Nuremberg Tour (Self Guided), Nuremberg
Despite Nuremberg's storybook appearance, the city's not so distant past is rather dark. Back in 1933, amid the rise of the Third Reich, the Nazis worked really hard to leave their stamp on the city, prettifying it and renovating the architecture in a bid to accommodate their massive rallies and bombastic military parades.
In fact, no other city in Germany is more intertwined with the Nazi legacy than Nuremberg. Adolf Hitler referred to it as the City of Party Rallies, considering it the standard for German cities. The majority of Nuremberg's Third Reich sites were designed by Fuhrer's favorite architect, Albert Speer.
Foremost among them is the monumental (24.5 hectares/11 square kilometers or 12 football fields in length) Reich Party Congress Grounds, built with prisoner labor and evoking ancient Roman architecture. Its three main structures include:
The Congress Hall – intended to serve as a congress center for the Nazi Party; twice the size of the Colosseum in Rome (50,000 seats);
The Great Road – the central axis of the rally grounds and a parade road for the German Wehrmacht, intended to link the Nazi ideology with the medieval grandeur of imperial Nuremberg; and
The Zeppelin Tribune – the fortified grandstand designed as an open air altar for Hitler, an evil demagogue as he was, to deliver his anti-Semitic stump speeches. The name "Zeppelinfeld" (Zeppelin Field) refers to the fact that, in August 1909, Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin landed here one of his airships.
Nowadays, these and other former Nazi buildings serve as a reminder of the fall of the Third Reich, conserved – but not restored – for educational purposes.
If you're a WWII aficionado or history buff, take this self-guided walking tour to explore the sobering sites that once played a huge role in Nuremberg's recent history.
In fact, no other city in Germany is more intertwined with the Nazi legacy than Nuremberg. Adolf Hitler referred to it as the City of Party Rallies, considering it the standard for German cities. The majority of Nuremberg's Third Reich sites were designed by Fuhrer's favorite architect, Albert Speer.
Foremost among them is the monumental (24.5 hectares/11 square kilometers or 12 football fields in length) Reich Party Congress Grounds, built with prisoner labor and evoking ancient Roman architecture. Its three main structures include:
The Congress Hall – intended to serve as a congress center for the Nazi Party; twice the size of the Colosseum in Rome (50,000 seats);
The Great Road – the central axis of the rally grounds and a parade road for the German Wehrmacht, intended to link the Nazi ideology with the medieval grandeur of imperial Nuremberg; and
The Zeppelin Tribune – the fortified grandstand designed as an open air altar for Hitler, an evil demagogue as he was, to deliver his anti-Semitic stump speeches. The name "Zeppelinfeld" (Zeppelin Field) refers to the fact that, in August 1909, Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin landed here one of his airships.
Nowadays, these and other former Nazi buildings serve as a reminder of the fall of the Third Reich, conserved – but not restored – for educational purposes.
If you're a WWII aficionado or history buff, take this self-guided walking tour to explore the sobering sites that once played a huge role in Nuremberg's recent history.
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Hitler's Nuremberg Tour Map
Guide Name: Hitler's Nuremberg Tour
Guide Location: Germany » Nuremberg (See other walking tours in Nuremberg)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 7
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Author: Ella
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Germany » Nuremberg (See other walking tours in Nuremberg)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 7
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Author: Ella
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Südkaserne (South Barracks)
- Luitpold Arena and Hall of Honor
- Congress Hall Nazi Party Rallying Ground
- Great Road
- Documentation Center
- Zeppelinfeld (Zeppelin Field)
- Max-Morlock-Stadion (Max-Morlock Stadium)
1) Südkaserne (South Barracks)
Nuremberg is a cultural icon with beautiful architecture and a long history of traditional crafts. However, it is infamous as the site of Nazi meetings.
The South Barracks is an austere building built with red brick and stone and was designed by Heinrich Himmler. The South Barracks housed the SS Signals School during WWII and was considered the most important barrack in the Third Reich. The facility was officially called accommodations and not referred to as barracks.
The main building had 1,000 rooms. The main entrance featured a large eagle, and the ceilings were decorated with mosaics. The ballroom features mosaics representing swastikas.
The facility also had many additional buildings. There was a kitchen building, a casino, garages, and horse stables.
In 1945, the US Army occupied the building and renamed it the Merrell Barracks. Today, it houses the German Ministry for Refugees. Another part of the facility is used as Nuremberg's customs offices. Finally, the Z-Bau part of the facility is a cultural center that features lively concerts.
The South Barracks is an austere building built with red brick and stone and was designed by Heinrich Himmler. The South Barracks housed the SS Signals School during WWII and was considered the most important barrack in the Third Reich. The facility was officially called accommodations and not referred to as barracks.
The main building had 1,000 rooms. The main entrance featured a large eagle, and the ceilings were decorated with mosaics. The ballroom features mosaics representing swastikas.
The facility also had many additional buildings. There was a kitchen building, a casino, garages, and horse stables.
In 1945, the US Army occupied the building and renamed it the Merrell Barracks. Today, it houses the German Ministry for Refugees. Another part of the facility is used as Nuremberg's customs offices. Finally, the Z-Bau part of the facility is a cultural center that features lively concerts.
2) Luitpold Arena and Hall of Honor
Originally, this area was home to a park built in 1906 to honor Luitpold, the Prince Regent of Bavaria. In 1933, Hitler used this area as a deployment area and parade ground. The park became known as the Luitpold Arena. Hilter constructed a crescent-shaped tribune and created a field over 84,000 square meters big.
Hitler organized rallies and parades here with as many as 150,000 participants, while 50,000 spectators looked on.
The Bluffahne, or Blood Flag was an important relic used during SA and SS deployments. The flag was allegedly soaked with the blood of a Beer Hall Putsch rebel, who had joined Hitler during the failed 1923 coup. During deployment ceremonies, SA and SS units were consecrated by touching their guidons to the Bluffahne.
In 1935, Nazi leaders announced the first two disastrous Nuremberg Laws from the Luitpold Hall, a building inside the Luitpold Arena. These laws deprived German Jews of their German citizenship. Luitpold Hall was destroyed by bombs in 1942 and not rebuilt.
Hall of Honor was built in 1930 before Hitler came to power. The hall features two rows of fire bowls on pedestals. The fire bowls have not been used since the Nazis in 1938.
In 1923, Hitler had tried to seize power in a coup. Sixteen coup members died during the failed coup and were remembered as Martyrs of the NS Movement. During the Hitler era, Nazis used the Hall of Honor to commemorate WWI soldiers and the Martyrs of the NS Movement.
Hitler organized rallies and parades here with as many as 150,000 participants, while 50,000 spectators looked on.
The Bluffahne, or Blood Flag was an important relic used during SA and SS deployments. The flag was allegedly soaked with the blood of a Beer Hall Putsch rebel, who had joined Hitler during the failed 1923 coup. During deployment ceremonies, SA and SS units were consecrated by touching their guidons to the Bluffahne.
In 1935, Nazi leaders announced the first two disastrous Nuremberg Laws from the Luitpold Hall, a building inside the Luitpold Arena. These laws deprived German Jews of their German citizenship. Luitpold Hall was destroyed by bombs in 1942 and not rebuilt.
Hall of Honor was built in 1930 before Hitler came to power. The hall features two rows of fire bowls on pedestals. The fire bowls have not been used since the Nazis in 1938.
In 1923, Hitler had tried to seize power in a coup. Sixteen coup members died during the failed coup and were remembered as Martyrs of the NS Movement. During the Hitler era, Nazis used the Hall of Honor to commemorate WWI soldiers and the Martyrs of the NS Movement.
3) Congress Hall Nazi Party Rallying Ground
Nuremberg was Hitler's choice location to hold massive rallies and parades. In 1935, construction began on Congress Hall and accompanying assembly grounds. Congress Hall's design was inspired by the Colosseum in Rome, and Hitler had envisioned it as the centerpiece of the Nazi party rally grounds.
Hitler had envisioned the Third Reich lasting for a thousand years and being a triumphant empire. The magnificence of this planned Congress Hall reflected his plans for a lasting empire.
The original plans called for the building to have a self-supporting roof and 50,000 seats. Congress Hall was originally planned to be 70 meters tall; however, it was abandoned when it reached half its intended height. It was designed in a U shape, with two head buildings located in the straight part of the U. Congress Hall features a granite panel facade.
Congress Hall was never completed, but it is the biggest preserved national socialist monumental building still in existence. The northern wing of the Congress Hall is now home to the Documentation Centre. The southern wing houses the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra.
Hitler had envisioned the Third Reich lasting for a thousand years and being a triumphant empire. The magnificence of this planned Congress Hall reflected his plans for a lasting empire.
The original plans called for the building to have a self-supporting roof and 50,000 seats. Congress Hall was originally planned to be 70 meters tall; however, it was abandoned when it reached half its intended height. It was designed in a U shape, with two head buildings located in the straight part of the U. Congress Hall features a granite panel facade.
Congress Hall was never completed, but it is the biggest preserved national socialist monumental building still in existence. The northern wing of the Congress Hall is now home to the Documentation Centre. The southern wing houses the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra.
4) Great Road
The Great Road in Nuremberg is a monumental relic of a tumultuous era, stretching almost 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long and 40 meters (132 feet) wide. Conceived during the Third Reich, the road was intended to serve as the central axis of the rally grounds and a parade route for the Wehrmacht. Its construction commenced in 1935 and concluded in 1939, just before the onset of World War II, which prevented its intended use as numerous rallies were canceled after 1938.
Strategically designed to connect the Congress Hall with the Märzfeld, an expansive parade ground, the road was aligned to point towards the historic Nuremberg Castle in its northwestern extension. This alignment was symbolically significant, intended to link the Third Reich's aspirations with Nuremberg's medieval heritage, reinforcing the city's historical significance.
The road was meticulously constructed with a pavement of black and gray granite pavers, each bordered by precise 1.2-meter (4 feet) edges. Although grand plans included a representative entrance portal and two pylons at the northwestern end, along with a grandstand featuring a hall of pillars near the German Stadium for top military and government officials, these were never fully realized.
Post-war, the road's fate shifted significantly; it served as a temporary airfield for the US Army. In contemporary times, it has been repurposed by the nearby Nuremberg Fair and Exhibition company, mainly used as an occasional parking area during highly frequented fairs. This adaptation marks a stark contrast from its original militaristic and ceremonial intentions, serving now as a pragmatic urban space within the city.
Strategically designed to connect the Congress Hall with the Märzfeld, an expansive parade ground, the road was aligned to point towards the historic Nuremberg Castle in its northwestern extension. This alignment was symbolically significant, intended to link the Third Reich's aspirations with Nuremberg's medieval heritage, reinforcing the city's historical significance.
The road was meticulously constructed with a pavement of black and gray granite pavers, each bordered by precise 1.2-meter (4 feet) edges. Although grand plans included a representative entrance portal and two pylons at the northwestern end, along with a grandstand featuring a hall of pillars near the German Stadium for top military and government officials, these were never fully realized.
Post-war, the road's fate shifted significantly; it served as a temporary airfield for the US Army. In contemporary times, it has been repurposed by the nearby Nuremberg Fair and Exhibition company, mainly used as an occasional parking area during highly frequented fairs. This adaptation marks a stark contrast from its original militaristic and ceremonial intentions, serving now as a pragmatic urban space within the city.
5) Documentation Center (must see)
The Documentation Center is housed in the never completed Congress Hall. The entrance to the museum features a dramatic glass and steel passageway that is "speered" through the brick building.
The Documentation Center features exhibits housed in concrete and brick galleries. These galleries offer historic photographs the show the rise and fall of Hitler's Germany.
The exhibit Fascination and Terror describes the National Socialist dictatorship. The exhibit focuses on propaganda's role in normalizing and elevating Hitler and his extreme beliefs.
The exhibit also shows the Nuremberg Laws, which stripped Jews and other minorities of their rights and led to the Holocaust.
Visitors can view an exhibit that commemorates victims of Nazi Germany's concentration camps. Additional exhibits focus on the 12 Nuremberg Trials that took place between 1945-1946. The Nuremberg Trials were famous for holding National Socialist executives to account for their war crimes.
The Documentation Center's exhibits ask visitors to ponder how a civilized nation created and executed the horrors that Hitler perpetrated.
The Documentation Center also provides visitors with historical information about the Congress Hall and the parade grounds. In addition, visitors can walk on a suspended platform to get a panoramic view of Congress Hall.
The Documentation Center features exhibits housed in concrete and brick galleries. These galleries offer historic photographs the show the rise and fall of Hitler's Germany.
The exhibit Fascination and Terror describes the National Socialist dictatorship. The exhibit focuses on propaganda's role in normalizing and elevating Hitler and his extreme beliefs.
The exhibit also shows the Nuremberg Laws, which stripped Jews and other minorities of their rights and led to the Holocaust.
Visitors can view an exhibit that commemorates victims of Nazi Germany's concentration camps. Additional exhibits focus on the 12 Nuremberg Trials that took place between 1945-1946. The Nuremberg Trials were famous for holding National Socialist executives to account for their war crimes.
The Documentation Center's exhibits ask visitors to ponder how a civilized nation created and executed the horrors that Hitler perpetrated.
The Documentation Center also provides visitors with historical information about the Congress Hall and the parade grounds. In addition, visitors can walk on a suspended platform to get a panoramic view of Congress Hall.
6) Zeppelinfeld (Zeppelin Field)
Zeppelin Field (Zeppelinfeld) is a historical site located east of the Great Road in Nuremberg. It features a monumental grandstand called Zeppelin Main Grandstand (Zeppelinhaupttribüne), spanning 360 meters in width, accompanied by a smaller stand. The design of the grandstand, one of Albert Speer's early works for the Nazi party, draws inspiration from the Pergamon Altar and incorporates architectural elements influenced by Franco-American architect Paul Philippe Cret.
The site gained historical prominence due to its use during the Nazi era and is notably remembered for the iconic image of the swastika being demolished from atop the grandstand in 1945, marking the fall of Nazi Germany in World War II. The name of the field originates from a 1909 event when Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin landed his airship LZ6 at this location.
Post-World War II, the field was repurposed, and from 1947 to 1995, it served as the home field for the Nurnberg American High School, where it was known as 'Soldiers Field.' It was used for various sports including high school and American football. In 1967, the city authorities undertook the demolition of the grandstand’s double row of pillars, which significantly damaged the structure, although the main part of the stand remains and has been incorporated into the Norisring motor racing track.
Throughout the 1980s, Zeppelin Field also hosted the German leg of the Monsters of Rock, a traveling heavy metal festival. It continues to be utilized by the Nuremberg Rams American Football team and houses a campground.
Tip:
If you go by yourself and not with a tour guide, please no Nazi salutes or Heil Hitlers or you could get arrested.
The site gained historical prominence due to its use during the Nazi era and is notably remembered for the iconic image of the swastika being demolished from atop the grandstand in 1945, marking the fall of Nazi Germany in World War II. The name of the field originates from a 1909 event when Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin landed his airship LZ6 at this location.
Post-World War II, the field was repurposed, and from 1947 to 1995, it served as the home field for the Nurnberg American High School, where it was known as 'Soldiers Field.' It was used for various sports including high school and American football. In 1967, the city authorities undertook the demolition of the grandstand’s double row of pillars, which significantly damaged the structure, although the main part of the stand remains and has been incorporated into the Norisring motor racing track.
Throughout the 1980s, Zeppelin Field also hosted the German leg of the Monsters of Rock, a traveling heavy metal festival. It continues to be utilized by the Nuremberg Rams American Football team and houses a campground.
Tip:
If you go by yourself and not with a tour guide, please no Nazi salutes or Heil Hitlers or you could get arrested.
7) Max-Morlock-Stadion (Max-Morlock Stadium)
Max-Morlock-Stadion opened in 1928. It was originally known as Städtisches Stadion and has changed names many times. It could originally hold 37,000 spectators. When it was built, it was known as the most beautiful stadium in the world. It has been known as the Max-Morlock-Stadion since 2017. Max Morlock was one of the football club's best players, and the name memorializes his contribution to outstanding playing.
Nazi started using the stadium to host rallies. The Hitler Youth used the stadium as a parade ground; they would gather and march here. The Nazi Sports Body organized one of its biggest events, the fourth Deutsche Kampfspiel in 1934.
The US Army used the stadium as a sporting field immediately after WWII.
The stadium has undergone several renovations over the years and has been modernized so all fans can see the best action. It is also occasionally used for large concerts.
Nazi started using the stadium to host rallies. The Hitler Youth used the stadium as a parade ground; they would gather and march here. The Nazi Sports Body organized one of its biggest events, the fourth Deutsche Kampfspiel in 1934.
The US Army used the stadium as a sporting field immediately after WWII.
The stadium has undergone several renovations over the years and has been modernized so all fans can see the best action. It is also occasionally used for large concerts.
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