The Handicraft yard or artisans' yard, also known as the Nuremberg Craftsmen's yard (Handwerkerhof Nürnberg / Handwerkerhof) is a remarkable corner in Nuremberg, located on the southeastern outskirts of the old town, opposite the Central Railway Station (Nürnberg Central Station).
The craft yard was erected in 1971, on the occasion of the "year of Durer" - the year of the 500th anniversary of the German artist and engraver of the Renaissance period Albrecht Durer.
The erected courtyard was planned to be demolished in 1972, but due to its great popularity it was abandoned, and today it is one of the attractions of Nuremberg.
The craft yard was built in the historical arsenal (former armory) and built into the last fortifications of Nuremberg in such a way that it forms a small "city within a city".
The craft yard is surrounded by the now restored former fortifications: a city wall with a round gate tower "Women's Tower" (Frauentorturm), which in its current form was built at the end of the 14th century.
The yard has three water/outlets:
- near the gate tower, from the Frauentormauer street in the old town of Nuremberg;
- just to the west along Frauentormauer Street, also from the old town;
- opposite the railway station is the "Women's Gate" (Frauentor), which was the main gate in the south-east of the city. A bridge leads to the gate, below the level of which there is a moat.
The courtyard of the Nuremberg masters itself is small, its characteristic structures are small buildings with imitation half-timbered facades.
Today, craft and souvenir shops, shops, cafes and restaurants are located in the houses, which offer such specialties as: Nuremberg sausages, Franconian beer and specialty wines, Nuremberg gingerbread, as well as wooden and tin toys, local souvenirs and other goods, including handmade.
In addition to trade, one of the main activities of the craftsmen of the craft yard is a visual demonstration to visitors of the manufacture of handicrafts: baking Nuremberg gingerbread, the work of potters, tin craftsmen, glass blowers, tanners, jewelers or doll makers.
In the "Women's" gate tower there is a pub with a small beer garden "BALKON Nürnberg".
The craft yard becomes especially popular on Christmas Eve, when Nuremberg is visited by about 2 million people, and in the yard there are festivities and an exhibition of nativity scenes under the motto "Christmas in the craft yard" (Weihnachten im Handwerkerhof).
Various events are also held in the craft yard throughout the year.
Practical information
Entrance to the craft yard is free (free).
We recommend checking the opening hours of retail outlets and restaurants of the craft yard immediately before visiting.
Website of the craft yard: handwerkerhof.
Near the craft yard, and therefore in the city center, you can stop:
4-star design Hotel Drei Raben with lounge, bar, parking and family rooms.
The rooms are equipped with modern amenities, including air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and CD/DVD player.
Upon arrival at the hotel, guests will be offered a welcome drink.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
Guest House Gasthaus Pillhofer offers free Wi-Fi, a terrace and a country-style restaurant with a beer garden.
The rooms are decorated in a modern country style, wooden floors. The rooms have an iPod docking station. Link to the guest house
Le Meridien Grand Hotel Nürnberg with 24-hour room service, restaurant, bar, fitness center, sauna and family rooms.
The rooms are equipped with marble bathrooms, flat-screen TVs and iPod docking stations.
Breakfast may be included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
The 3-star Deutscher Kaiser Hotel features a bar, a fitness room, parking, a small library, a reading room and a meeting room.
It offers uniquely decorated rooms with soundproofed windows.
Free wired internet or Wi-Fi is available in all rooms. There is also a flat-screen TV with satellite sports and movie channels.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
All accommodation facilities in Nuremberg, including in the city center and near the craft yard, can be viewed and booked here
