Nuremberg, Germany and WWII

 

The Nazi Era in Nuremberg

The Grandiose Coliseum in Nuremberg

Hitler's "Coliseum" project in Nuremberg, officially known as the Kongresshalle, was an ambitious architectural endeavor designed to be a grand Nazi rallying ground. The Kongresshalle was intended to be the centrepiece of the Nazi party rally grounds, echoing the grandeur of the Roman Colosseum. Designed by architects Franz and Ludwig Ruff in 1935, the structure was planned to seat 50,000 people.

Construction began in earnest, but the project was never completed due to the outbreak of World War II. The building reached only about half of its planned height of 70 meters. Today, the Kongresshalle stands as a stark reminder of the Nazi regime's grandiose ambitions and is home to the Documentation Center Museum, which chronicles the rise of the Nazi party and the horrors of World War II.

Site of the Nazi Rallies

The Zeppelin Field in Nuremberg was a central site for the Nazi Party rallies, designed by Hitler's architect, Albert Speer. Named after Count Zeppelin, whose airship landed there in 1909, the field was transformed into a grandstand and parade ground for the Nazis. The rallies held here were massive propaganda events, meticulously orchestrated to showcase the power and unity of the Nazi regime.

The Nuremberg Rallies, officially known as the Reich Party Congresses, were held annually from 1927 to 1938. These rallies were designed to reinforce party enthusiasm and demonstrate the strength of National Socialism to both Germany and the world. They featured elaborate ceremonies, including torchlight processions, military parades, and speeches by Adolf Hitler. The rallies were a key tool in Nazi propaganda, creating a sense of unity and power among the attendees and the broader German population.

The Nuremburg Courthouse

The Nuremberg Palace of Justice is a historic building complex in Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany. Constructed between 1909 and 1916, it houses the appellate court, the regional court, the local court, and the public prosecutor's office. The building is most famous for hosting the Nuremberg Trials, where key Nazi leaders were prosecuted for war crimes after World War II.

The trials took place in Courtroom 600, located in the east wing of the Palace of Justice. This courtroom was chosen because the building was largely undamaged during the war, was large enough to accommodate the trials, and included a prison complex. The trials began on November 20, 1945, and were a landmark in the establishment of international criminal law.

17 October 2024

The Adam and Eve image over the door of the courtroom in the Nuremberg courthouse is an engraving by the German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. Created in 1504, this engraving depicts Adam and Eve in a dense, dark forest, which contrasts with the idyllic Garden of Eden described in Genesis. The image showcases Dürer's mastery of classical proportions and artistic innovation.

The significance of this image in the context of the Nuremberg Trials is symbolic. It represents the themes of justice, morality, and the human condition, which were central to the trials. The presence of this image serves as a reminder of the moral and ethical considerations that underpinned the prosecution of Nazi war criminals.

Adam & Eve, Nuremberg Courthouse

Today, the Nuremberg Palace of Justice houses the Nuremberg Trials Memorial, an information and documentation center located on the top floor of the courthouse. The memorial provides insights into the defendants, their crimes, and the impact of the trials on international law.

A museum tells more of the story using storyboards. For example, here are images of the cells and where the prisoners waited.

Resources

LINK TO -->> THE NAZI TRAIL OF TERROR

A few books related to the trials.

The Anatomy of the Nuremberg Trials: A Personal Memoir by Telford Taylor - This book provides a detailed account of the trials from the perspective of one of the prosecutors. ON AMAZON

Nuremberg Diary by Gustave Mark Gilbert - A firsthand account of the trials written by the chief psychologist of the Nuremberg Trials.  ON AMAZON

The Nuremberg Trial by Ann Tusa and John Tusa - This book offers a comprehensive history of the trials and their significance in international law.  ON AMAZON

Robert H. Jackson: New Deal Lawyer, Supreme Court Justice, Nuremberg Prosecutor by Gail Jarrow - A biography of Robert H. Jackson, the chief prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials. ON AMAZON

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Geoffrey W. Sutton has a PhD in psychology and writes about psychology and culture.

Website: https://www.suttong.com/

Amazon Author: https://author.amazon.com/home

ResearchGate page: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Geoffrey-Sutton-2

Academia Page: https://evangel.academia.edu/GeoffSutton

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