Nuremberg, located in the German state of Bavaria, was one of the most important cities in Central Europe at the start of the 20th century. It carried centuries of history within its walls — medieval towers, winding cobblestone streets, and a culture built on skilled trades. The 1910s were a decade of contrast for the city. Life went on with its familiar rhythms of work and commerce, but the shadow of World War I fell over everything from 1914 onward.
The city’s economy in the 1910s was driven by craftsmen and small workshop owners. Nuremberg had a long reputation for metalworking, and its artisans produced goods that were sold across Europe and beyond. Pocket watches, precision tools, and decorative metalwork came out of hundreds of small shops. The toy-making industry was equally strong — Nuremberg was one of the top producers of tin toys in the world, and its products filled the shelves of shops from London to New York.
Alongside these traditional trades, Nuremberg was also home to modern industrial companies. Siemens-Schuckert, a major electrical engineering firm, operated in the city and was at the forefront of electric power technology. This mix of old craft traditions and new industrial energy made Nuremberg a unique place in early 20th-century Germany.
The architecture of Nuremberg in this era reflected its long history. The Kaiserburg Castle dominated the city’s skyline from its position on a sandstone ridge. Built over several centuries, it had served as a residence for Holy Roman Emperors and remained a defining symbol of the city’s past importance. Visitors and locals alike looked up at its towers as a reminder of how far back Nuremberg’s story stretched.
Down at street level, the old town was filled with Fachwerkhaus — the traditional half-timbered houses with exposed wooden beams set against whitewashed walls. These buildings lined narrow lanes and open squares, giving the city a look that had changed little since the medieval period. St. Lorenz Church, with its carved stone façade and tall spires, stood as one of the most striking examples of Gothic architecture in all of Germany.
The Pegnitz River ran through the heart of the city, dividing it into sections connected by a series of bridges. The Fleisch Bridge, one of the oldest and most recognizable, was a frequent gathering point and a popular subject for photographers and painters. The river banks offered some of the most scenic views in the city, with old stone buildings reflected in the slow-moving water.
Daily life in Nuremberg during the early 1910s moved at a steady pace. Markets were busy, trams ran through the main streets, and residents went about their work in workshops, shops, and offices. The city was a major transportation hub, with rail lines connecting it to Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin. This made it an important center for trade and movement of goods across the German empire.
When World War I broke out in August 1914, Nuremberg felt the impact immediately. Men were drafted into the German army in large numbers, pulling them away from their workshops, families, and normal routines. The workshops that had once produced toys and timepieces shifted toward supplying the war effort. Resources became scarce as the military absorbed materials, food supplies tightened, and the city adjusted to wartime conditions.
Despite the hardships, Nuremberg’s role as a transportation and industrial center kept it functioning throughout the war years. Trains moved troops and supplies through its rail yards. Factories stayed active. The city did not fall into the kind of stillness that hit smaller, less connected towns. Life was harder, but it continued.
The photographs from this decade capture Nuremberg at a remarkable moment — a city that still looked very much medieval in its streets and buildings, yet was fully engaged with the modern industrial world. These images show the markets, the bridges, the church spires, and the everyday scenes that made up life in one of Germany’s most storied cities.
