Lorenzer Platz, Nuremberg, Guide du visiteur et quoi faire à proximité

Lorenzer Platz is the open square in the southern half of Nuremberg's old town, dominated by the twin spires of St. Lorenz church (the Lorenzkirche). The church is one of the city's great Gothic buildings and is named after Saint Lawrence, a martyr of early Christian Rome.

The story behind it

St. Lorenz was built in stages between the 13th and 15th centuries and has been a Lutheran church since Nuremberg adopted the Reformation in 1525. It was badly damaged in the Second World War and rebuilt afterwards, so the Gothic stonework you see today is partly a restoration.

The church takes its name from Saint Lawrence, a deacon in Rome who looked after the church's goods and the care of the poor. According to the legend, the Roman authorities demanded that he hand over the church's treasure. He asked for three days, gave everything away to the poor and sick, and then presented them as the true treasure of the church. He was put to death on a fire, and the story says he joked that he was done on one side and should be turned over. That is why he is remembered as the patron saint of cooks and comedians. The tale is a long-held tradition rather than a documented record, and it is not for the squeamish.

What to look for

• The two tall west towers and the richly carved main portal between them give the church its distinctive face onto the square.
• The large rose window above the portal is one of the details that shows off the Gothic craftsmanship.
• Inside, look for the tall stone tabernacle by Adam Kraft, a spire-like sculpture that rises almost to the vaulting.
• Also inside, search the choir for the carved Annunciation by Veit Stoss, which hangs suspended above the nave.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 20 to 30 minutes for the square and a look inside the church, longer if you like to study the carvings.
• Visiting the church is usually possible outside services, but check current opening hours and any visitor rules before you go.
• Morning light is good for the facade, and the square is easier to photograph before the shopping crowds build up.
• The square sits along the main shopping route between the station and the castle, so cafes and other sights are only a short walk away.

See it on a quest

Lorenzer Platz is a natural stop on Medieval Nuremberg. You reach it on foot as one stop of a longer route through the old town, the app tells you about the church and its saint as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle in front of what you are looking at. It suits anyone who wants the medieval city explained as they walk. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever you like.