We loved that you could listen to the description of the courthouse as you were sitting on the benches! Our family loved taking this historic trip.
The site of the Nuremberg Trials after WW2, now a functioning courthouse with a museum, is an absolute must-see for anyone with even the slightest interest in history. The museum, which has discounted tickets for students, takes you through those tumultuous years in Europe (and also has a newer annex on the war in the Far East). If you come on a day when the court is not in session, you can even go inside and click pictures in the very courtroom where history was made. It's within walking distance of the Bahnhof and the walk in Nuremberg is quite scenic. A wonderful way to spend half a day!
The building, which still serves as a lawcourt today, is located outside the city centre, but easily reached by tram and bus. In room 600 the Nuremberg trials were held, with the venue previously having been enlarged to accomodate witness stands, press desks, interpreters and guards. Today it is back to its original size and appearance. But the importance of what happened there in 1946, the first trials ever against war criminals and their impact on what became officially accepted juridical practice in Germany and Europe afterwards, including the lawcourt in The Hague today, cannot be over-estimated. On the floor above room 600, one finds an extensive exhibition centring on the trial, the defendants and the verdicts, which leaves only one question: why were so many of the accused let off so comparatively easily? After all, many with death or life sentences were already released from 1951 on! The site is very impressive indeed and a must for spectators from any country!
We came to Nuremberg to learn more about the period of the rise of the Nazi Reich and what becoame of the people who were in charge during that period.The information supplied by the young gentleman who was our guide at the centre (in English) during the tour led by the exceptionally well informed young man who guided us, was excellent.
We had a wonderful guide that spoke for about an hour or so about the Nuremberg trials. He did a nice job of bringing the museum to life. I would come about one hour before the tour to walk around. Everything is in German but you can get an audio guide.The best way to come is by metro but there is some street parking available. We are glad that we visited.
If you are interested in Hitler's Germany this is a must see, like so many other areas in Nuremberg (e.g. Zeppelin field). This is the court room where they tried the Nazis e.g. Goering after the war.
Our tour was just to view the outside where the Nuremberg trials were held after WWII. When we got home, we got the movie Judgement at Nuremberg to getmore information. Interesting that almost all of the people convicted were out of prison in less than 10 years even though their sentences were up to life.
It has great exposition. Of you went tothe documentation center then you must go to this one too. Is an after the second world war explanation. Says what happened to the Nazis and other events. You get audio guide with the 5 euros of entrance that you paid. It is very interesting and very detailed.
The English guided tours are only on Saturdays at 2. We visited and were given the tour and shown room 600 where the trials took place. This was a good tour for the overview and we could also go back and see things we didn't see afterwards.Visit on Saturdays to see the room as otherwise it could be in use.
Courtroom 600 is still a working courtroom. When we visited, there was a trial in progress, so the courtroom was closed to visitors. The exhibition itself is OK, but if you already have an understanding of the history, it's not worth your time. There are hardly any artifacts in the exhibition, just boards explaining the history of the trials. (in German only, although audio guides are available). Make sure you call ahead to determine whether or not the courtroom is open.