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General
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The Germanisches Nationalmuseum was
founded in 1852 by a number of (partially well-known) scientists researching
historical stuff. The somewhat puzzling name was chosen to promote the idea of
a unified "Germany". Please recall (if you can) that in 1852 there
was no Germany (or Deutschland) but only a large number of more or less
independent kingdoms (like Bavaria), duchesses, free cities and God knows what
else in the area defined by a common language.
The goal was to assemble a "well-ordered compendium of all available
source material for German history, literature and art". That was done;
the museum now houses a collection of 1.2 million objects relating to Germanic
culture and art, from prehistoric times to the present day. The Germanisches
Nationalmuseum is actually Germany's largest museum of cultural history. |
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I only spend a few hours
there and thus will restrict myself to a few highlights. The first one is that
the museum has not (yet) succumbed to the dreaded "keep-things-in-the-dark
disease" like for example the Museum
für Vor- und Frühgeschichte, Berlin. |
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Of course, you find
pieces from local top artists like paintings from Dürer ( a
Nürnberger) or the first pocket watch produced by the Nürnberger
Peter Henlein. There are many Cranachs (also from the general region), some of
them with rather modern topics: |
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Sugardaddy and mistress
Part of a painting from Lucas Cranach (the elder) from around 1530. It is
entitled "Das ungleiche Paar" (the unequal couple) |
Source: Photographed 2015 in the
Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg, Germany |
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Other
paintings relate to the topics here. Did you know that
Charlemagne's sword
actually once broke in a critical moment? Couldn't have been his trusty
Joyeuse; I would
think. Here is a picture of this event: |
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Charlemagne with broken sword and his rescue
angel. C. must have had a great insurance contract.
Part of a painting from Albrecht Altdorfer (around 1518) entitled "Victory
of Charlemagne over the Avars near Regensburg".
Large picture |
Source: Photographed 2015 in the
Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg, Germany |
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There are innumerable
Madonnas (a whole Gothic church is actually part of the museum!) .... |
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Madonna
The artist was Adam Kraft, one of the foremost sculptors in the second half of
the 16th century. |
Source: Photographed 2015 in the
Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg, Germany |
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... and old stained
glass windows. Several relate to swords; here is shown what one can do with a
sword: |
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Another
head
count?
(Look up the stories around St. Erasmus and Felicitas to find out) |
Source: Photographed 2015 in the
Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg, Germany |
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Metal
Objects |
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There is no shortage of metal objects
in the museum. Here are three rather spectacular ones: |
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Golden head dress of a bronze age sun priest.
A similar one is in the Neues Mueum,
Berlin |
Gold / garnet eagle from
Theodorics
court; around 500 AD.
Roman parade helmet, 2 century AD |
Source: Photographed 2015 in the
Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg, Germany |
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As far as swords are
concerned, the museum displays a number of bronze swords (but not as many as,
for example, the Schleswig museum).
Here is a taste treat: |
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Top: Middle and late bronze age swords.
Bottom: Hallstatt swords (including an
iron one)
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Source: Photographed 2015 in the
Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg, Germany |
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There is a large special
exhibit of medieval weapons, including swords, armor and much else: |
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A small part of the medieval weapons
exhibit
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Source: Photographed 2015 in the
Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg, Germany |
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There is also an
"VLBERHT" sword. It is prominently displayed, together with a friend.
It is covered in more detail
here. |
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Ulfberht sword and friend
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Source: Photographed 2015 in the
Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg, Germany |
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So make sure to visit
Nürnberg! Beside the fabulous Germanisches Nationalmuseum - that you must
visit - you will also find plenty of other good things like especially tasty
beer and famous sausages known as "Nürnberger". |
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© H. Föll (Iron, Steel and Swords script)