Nuremberg Imperial Castle

Every Holy Roman Emperor between 1050 and 1571 held court in Nuremberg at some point, and the Kaiserburg on its sandstone ridge was the imperial residence, though never a permanent capital. The Tiefer Brunnen, the deep well, is cut about sixty metres down through the rock to reach water; the demonstration involves lowering a light and pouring water so visitors can hear the delay before it lands. The double chapel has two storeys linked by an opening, so the emperor above and the household below attended the same service separately. The castle was heavily damaged in 1945 and rebuilt.

What you actually see

• The deep well - a 60-metre shaft demonstrated by pouring water down it.
• The double chapel - two storeys linked by an opening over the altar.
• The Sinwell tower - a round keep climbed for views over the old town.
• The imperial rooms - reconstructed halls of the medieval palace.

When to go

April to October; the well is shown only on timed demonstrations in groups. Winter hours are shorter. The old town below is busiest at Christmas.

Honest expectations

The well is seen only on a scheduled demonstration, not on demand. Much of the castle is postwar reconstruction. The tower climb is steep and narrow.

Nearby

Nuremberg's old town lies below; the Pegnitz runs through it.