Beneath Nürnberg’s old town, the Historic Rock-Cut Cellars, or Felsengänge, form a network of passages and chambers carved into the sandstone. Excavated over centuries from the Middle Ages onwards, these cool underground spaces reveal a different side of the city from the half-timbered streets and castle above.
The cellars were created for brewing and storing beer, using the naturally low temperatures to keep it cool long before refrigeration. During the Second World War, parts of the network also served as air-raid shelters. A guided tour connects those chapters of Nürnberg’s history, with the rock-cut walls themselves offering a vivid sense of how the city adapted the ground beneath its feet.
The Felsengänge are visited on guided tours, so check departure times and available languages in advance; booking ahead is sensible during busy periods. Bring a layer even in summer, as the cellars stay chilly, and wear sturdy shoes for the steps and potentially slippery surfaces.