Before leaving Nuremberg for Erfurt, we were treated to a private tour of The Germanic National Museum. The museum was created in 1852 by a Frankish nobleman named Hans Freiherr von Aufseß, who wanted to promote the idea of German unification, after the failed attempt to unify the German speaking states in 1848. The museum was a fantastic treasure house of medieval German art including tapestries, painting, sculpture, stained glass, ecclesiastical and royal ceremonial objects. We only had a few hours to tour the galleries, and definitely could have spent several more hours or days there. Here are some of the highlights that we saw on our visit.
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| A Gilded Altarpiece |
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| This is unbelievably a gold ceremonial drinking cup, which holds several liters of wine! |
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| German heraldry surrounds the imperial eagles. |
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| An incised table top. |
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| A ceremonial statue of Jesus, which was paraded through the village during Easter celebrations. |
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| The treasure within. |
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| Hidden Treasure |
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| Romanesque Stained Glass |
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| Medieval Tapestries |
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| Extreme Scrimshaw |
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| A Chandelier |
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| Pew markers for privileged wealthy families |
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| Wall paneling from a completely recreated medieval room, complete with figure poking through the paneling. |
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| Another fantastical chandelier. I want one for my house! |
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| This covered cup was made by Albrecht Durer, who was better known for drawings and etchings, but was a Renaissance man who created sculpture, metal-works, paintings, and even stained glass. |
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| Stained glass designed by Albrecht Durer. Death is coming to carry man away. |
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| Also by Albrecht Durer. Man defies death and says only God will decide when man lives or dies. |
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| Also by Albrecht Durer |
If you are in Nuremberg, this museum is not to be missed. A full exhibition of Albrecht Durer's works is beginning in April. We left Nuremberg after seeing the museum, on our whirlwind tour of Bavaria, and made our way to Erfurt for our next adventure. Stay tuned for more on Erfurt!
