For 700 years, the Hauptmarkt (Main Market Square) has been the heart of Nuremberg. It is not just a "main market" or a central square. During the day, trade in fresh produce from farm fields is bustling here; at noon, hundreds of tourists look up at the ancient clock on the church; and in December, millions of visitors flock here from all over the world to see the legendary Christmas market.
If you want to see the real medieval Nuremberg in one go, try its traditional food, touch the "magic ring," and feel the pulse of a modern German city — this is the place for you. The square has the shape of an irregular trapezoid, measuring approximately 56 by 85 meters. It is hard to believe, but in the 12th century, there were swamps on this site, and today, some of the city`s main architectural symbols rise here.
History of the square: from tragedy to greatness
The history of this land is dramatic and inextricably linked with the fate of Nuremberg itself, where dark pages alternate with eras of prosperity.
The Jewish Quarter. In the 12th century, the territory of the future square was the swampy bank of the Pegnitz River. The drained land was given to Jewish refugees expelled from the cities of the Rhineland. By the mid-14th century, a densely populated Jewish quarter had grown here in the very center of the city. Everything changed in 1349. Emperor Charles IV, in need of money and the support of the townspeople, sanctioned a pogrom. In a terrible massacre, nearly 600 people died, and the synagogue and houses were burned to the ground.
The Imperial Market. On the ashes, the emperor ordered the establishment of first a "Fruit Market" and then a "Green Market," where all wholesale trade was moved. In the Middle Ages, the Hauptmarkt became a place where history was made. After elections in Frankfurt, newly elected emperors came here to hold their first Reichstag. Tournaments thundered on the square, banquets and ceremonies for the granting of imperial lands took place. The building at number 6/8 was even named the "House of the First Petition," because the king received his first petitioners here. The square received its name — Hauptmarkt, meaning "Main Market" — only in 1809.
Destruction and rebirth. In the 20th century, the square again found itself at the epicenter of events. In 1933, it was renamed Adolf Hitler Square, and the beautiful Baroque Neptune Fountain was dismantled as "Jewish." In January 1945, Allied bombings turned medieval Nuremberg into ruins. The historic buildings of the square were almost destroyed. After the war, what we see today was restored, but in a simplified form – the lost rich facades of the bourgeois houses, unfortunately, never regained their former grandeur.
Main attractions of the Hauptmarkt
Set aside at least an hour to visit the square, because here are three main symbols of Nuremberg that you cannot miss.
1. Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) - witness to the empire
On the eastern side of the square rises the Gothic Frauenkirche, built between 1352 and 1362 by personal order of Emperor Charles IV. Initially, it was conceived as a court chapel where the imperial regalia were to be stored.
The church`s main "gimmick," which you definitely won`t miss, is the mechanical clock called the "Männleinlaufen" (Little Man Run). Every day at exactly noon, to the sound of bells, seven prince-electors emerge from the clock on the facade and bow to the figure of Emperor Charles IV seated on a throne. This performance lasts only a couple of minutes but gathers hundreds of tourists under the church walls. Arrive 5–10 minutes before noon to get a good viewing spot.
2. Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain)
In the center of the square stands an 19-meter-high Gothic tower reaching toward the sky. This is the Schöner Brunnen — the Beautiful Fountain, built around 1385–1396. It is richly decorated with 40 gilded figures representing philosophy, the Church Fathers, prophets, and the prince-electors of the Holy Roman Empire.
But the main attraction is not its beauty, but a tradition. Set into the fountain`s wrought-iron grille (on the southwest side) are two gold rings. Legend has it that if you turn one of them three times and make a wish, it will certainly come true. Therefore, the shiny rings are the only part of the sculpture that can be touched by hand, and they always remain polished to a mirror-like shine.
3. Neptunbrunnen (Neptune Fountain)
At the western edge of the square stands the less ornate but remarkable Neptune Fountain, with an amazing destiny. Its history is full of mystical coincidences. Created back in the 17th century as a symbol of peace after the Thirty Years` War, the bronze fountain was cast, but... for two hundred years they could not install it due to technical difficulties with the water supply! In 1902, it was finally placed on the square, but in 1934, the Nazis dismantled it, calling it "Jewish" (because of the sponsor`s origin). The fountain regained its current appearance and rightful place only after the war.
Market: everyday life and gastronomy
Remember: the Hauptmarkt is not only a historical memorial. It is a working market. Every weekday, from morning to evening, farmers from all over Franconia sell their goods here.
What can you buy and try? Fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables straight from the field. Local cheeses and, of course, the famous tiny Nuremberg sausages. Fresh bread and traditional Lebkuchen (gingerbread) — Nuremberg`s main culinary souvenir.
It is best to try the sausages not on the square itself, but at one of the historic establishments nearby, for example, at a restaurant at the foot of the castle, which selects products from the best local producers.
Christmas fairy tale: Christkindlesmarkt
If you find yourself in Nuremberg from late November to December 24, you will arrive at the very time when the Hauptmarkt transforms into one of the most famous Christmas markets in the world — the Christkindlesmarkt. The square is transformed beyond recognition: dozens of red-and-white stalls create a unique atmosphere, and the smell of mulled wine and roasted sausages spreads throughout the Old Town.
Every year at the end of November, a young woman dressed as the "Christkind" (Christmas Angel) recites the traditional prologue from the balcony of the Frauenkirche, opening the festival. This spectacle draws thousands of people.
What you must try at the Christmas market?
• Glühwein (Mulled wine): Hot, spicy mulled wine. A mug costs a few euros plus a deposit for the mug. You can keep the mug as a souvenir of your trip.
• Drei im Weggla: Three small Nuremberg sausages in a bread roll. An ideal and quick snack.
• Lebkuchen (Gingerbread): Sold in fabulously beautiful tin boxes that are easy to take home.
• Tip: Next to the main square, at Rathausplatz, there is a "Twin Cities Market," where you can try dishes from all over the world — from Scottish shortbread to Ukrainian dumplings.
Remember a few simple rules to make your visit to the Hauptmarkt perfect. Arrive at the Frauenkirche 10 minutes before noon — spots near the clock get taken quickly. Don`t leave without finding the two gold rings in the grille of the Beautiful Fountain: one faces the church, the other faces the pharmacy. Turn either one three times while making a wish. And be sure to try the Nuremberg Lebkuchen (gingerbread) at the market — they are sold in tin boxes that are easy to take home. One hour is enough for all of this.
