INFAMOUS NUREMBERG TRIAL

                                 ROOM 600

     I always wondered why Nuremberg was selected for the infamous World War II trials. When visiting the city I learned that although the city center had been bombed during the war, the courthouse outside the city was unharmed. A prison next door connected to the courthouse by a tunnel provided the necessary security. Lastly the large courthouse containing 530 offices and 80 courtrooms was in the American zone.

     I don’t know who our guide had to sweet-talk but on a Sunday morning we were able not to only visit the courthouse  but to enter room 600 and learn a lot more. Awesome!

     Seated in room 600 we were told, “For the trial, the back wall was moved back and a balcony added to accommodate the press and spectators. The trial took place long before instant communication and when the press used wire services. The tables were turned front to back rather than side by side. All windows were covered. When the trial was over it was returned to its previous size and configuration.”

     Those on trial faced four charges: conspiracy, crime against peace, crime of war, and crime against humanity. Officially 24 were tried, but only 21 were present. One was old and too feeble to attend, one had committed suicide and one had simply disappeared. However, his body later was found and identified. American soldiers guarded the prisoners around the clock, 24 hours a day.

     Instead of a jury, four judges, one from each Allied nation, made the judgements. On October 1, 1946 twelve were sentenced to death, three were acquitted, and seven were sentenced to life imprisonment.

     The 218 day trial involved 236 witnesses and over 200,000 affidavits. People involved in the trial including translators, recorders, and secretaries numbered 1000.

     Early in the morning on October 16,1946 eleven of the twelve sentenced to death were hung in the old gym. Herman Goring committed suicide the night before by swallowing a cyanide capsule. The source of the poison is unknown. The bodies were cremated in Munich and the ashes spread over the Isar River.  In 1987 the last prisoner committed suicide at age 93. ..

NUREMBERG, GERMANY

                            An Interesting City

We arrived in Nuremberg on a Sunday, and in Germany Sunday is a family day, no question about it.  The shops were closed. However a local city guide showed us the important sites.

The medieval foundation was built on Roman ruins. Nuremberg means stony hill and the first settlement was built on a hill. The first documents in 1050 mentioned when a slave was freed. That was unusual as most documents then referred to trade or war. The medieval trade route was lost when a sea route developed, and the city became part of Bavaria under Napoleon.

Nuremberg is the second largest city in Bavaria and capitol of Franconia. The 16^th century zigzag fortification walls were designed by an Italian architect. By the 19^th century the entire city was still behind the city walls. In January 1945, 525 British Lancaster bombers bombed the city, so much of the city’s medieval splendor was lost in the ashes of WW II. Dresden is the only city that received more war devastation.

 For years the city’s name conjured up a recollection of the infamous Nuremberg war trials. That is now soft-pedaled as the city has many other things to offer. However, our first stop was the Party Rally Grounds of the Nazi Third Reich 

The 11 square kilometer grounds were built between 1933-38 for the Nazi conventions held each September. The convention center resembles the Roman Coliseum, which is no coincidence. Built between 1935-42 it is 40 meters high, but was never finished to its intended 60 meters. Besides being built to impress, it also was built to seat 50,000 people. Hitler intended the granite-fronted building to be a monument forever. Located next to a lake, the center’s reflection gives the impression it’s even larger. At the time these grounds were built unemployment in Germany was 33%, and it gave many people a job.

The field was meant to accommodate 100,000 spectators and 70,000 participants. A huge golden swastika was removed from the lecture area by the allies. Pillars were also removed, possibly because they also had swastika imprints on them. The whole Nazi movement was a combination of fascination and violence. The SS barracks were occupied by American soldiers and new refugees from 1945-92.

Nuremberg was a rich important city because it was an important trade route, and it was close to the Emperor who held his first diet (imperial meetings) here. Today the city has a full democratic council. Nuremberg, an industrial town, is known for its toys, and many other handcrafts with excellent workmanship.

As we traveled the city I noted a marked contrast as the architecture changed from modern boxy construction to old medieval buildings. It was almost like a curtain had been dropped in some areas.

The Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg) was the residence of German kings and emperors. We walked up a cobbled incline to the entrance where we stopped while our guide explained, “An enemy had to climb this ascending wooden bridge that made it hard to run, but if he was successful, he immediately ran into a stone wall here. The ascending walk inside made it easy for the inhabitants to roll a burning fireball down on to the enemy, and if that failed there were holes in the ceiling where hot oil could be poured on the trespassers below. But as far as we know none of these things were ever put to use.”

The tower dates to the 11^th century. The inner court contained a deep well, which was guarded. The moat was dry. At the end of the courtyard was a Roman chapel with only one seat---for the emperor.    

  We ended our city tour at Marketsquare that houses the 60-foot high, 1370s stone pyramid fountain where thirty figures are arranged in four tiers. The ironsmith who made the wrought iron fence surrounding the fountain had an apprentice who fell in love with a nobleman’s daughter. Naturally the dad objected to the match. One evening the apprentice disappeared never to be heard from again, but he left a golden journeyman’s ring on the fence. It is said that if one turns the ring it will bring good luck. Because the ring had to be replaced frequently it now is no longer gold.

The churches were all having services so we could only view the facades. The center of the square was covered with several hundred green rabbits—a modern art exhibit.  It was different but at the same time kind of quaint.

This trip to Europe was made during the big heat wave that blanketed the continent. It was hot, hot, hot so we were happy to make it back to the boat to enjoy the air conditioning!