Nürnberg

Nürnberg, Bavaria's second city, is known for its glorious medieval architecture, important Germanic history museum, haunting Nazi past, famous Christmas market (Germany's biggest), and little bratwurst (Germany's tiniest and perhaps most beloved). Nürnberg ("Nuremberg" in English) was one of Europe's leading cities in about 1500, and its large Imperial Castle marks it as a stronghold of the Holy Roman Empire. Today, though Nürnberg has a half-million residents, the charming Old Town — with its red-sandstone Gothic buildings — makes visitors feel like they are in a far smaller city.