Weissgerbergasse (Weissgerber Street), Nuremberg

Weissgerber Street is one of the most picturesque streets in Nuremberg’s Old Town and one of the best places to appreciate the city’s traditional half-timbered architecture.

The name refers to the white tanners, craftsmen who specialised in producing soft, fine, light-coloured leather. Their work involved soaking and treating animal hides, scraping away the tallow with special blades, and drying the finished leather in frames along the city wall. A depiction of a tanning rammer and knife can still be seen at No. 24, providing a reminder of the street’s former trade. The carving is positioned centrally, between the first and second rows of windows.

Today, the street is famous for its row of more than a dozen historic houses, many with colourful façades, steep roofs, decorative timber framing, and attractive latticework. While much of Nuremberg was badly damaged during the Second World War, many of these houses survived intact, making Weissgerber Street one of the best places to imagine what the Old Town looked like before the wartime destruction.

For tourists, the street is primarily a place to walk slowly and admire the architecture. Look closely at the individual houses, doors, timber frames, and decorative details, and notice how each building has its own character. The beautifully preserved half-timbered façades make Weissgerber Street one of the most photographed spots in Nuremberg. Make sure you stop midway along the lane to admire the intricate geometric timber framing and colourful flower boxes adorning the second-storey windows.

The street is no longer home to leather workshops, but galleries, restaurants, cafés, and bars have brought new life to the historic setting. Before you move on, why not sit down at one of the cosy cafés or artisan shops nestled on the ground floors?