Last Updated: May 2026
Nuremberg, nestled in the heart of Bavaria, is a city whose medieval charm stands in stark contrast to its profound role in some of the 20th century’s darkest and most pivotal events. While its half-timbered houses, ancient castle, and bustling market squares draw visitors year-round, it is Nuremberg’s connection to the rise and fall of the Nazi regime that has etched its name into world history. Sandy and I sailed from Bamberg through the Main-Danube Canal aboard the River Duchess, arriving in a city that carries its past with unusual gravity. The image below captures the spirit of Weimar-era cabaret culture — the vibrant, often transgressive nightlife that flourished in Germany in the years before Hitler’s rise. The Nazis quickly suppressed the cabarets after coming to power in 1933, though the performances had ironically been a private indulgence for some party officers even as they publicly denounced them.
