Nurnberg & Amberg, Germany

The 2003 IIHF World In-Line Hockey Championship returns to Germany for the second consecutive year.  This year, the championship will be held in the historic cities of Nurnberg and Amberg.

The neighboring cities have many similarities that participants and spectators are sure to enjoy.  Both are steeped in a rich tradition and have historic centers that give visitors hours of enjoyment.  Both cities also boast a vast landscape that is sure to keep everyone occupied when they leave the rink.  The two towns also have a local German tradition and culture that is second to none.

Nurnberg returns as a host city this year and will be the home base for the A Group and the eventual championship games. The city itself is over 950 years old and is one of the most historic cities in Germany. Nurnberg has experienced its share of ups and downs throughout its storied history.  In the 15th century, it was an extremely wealthy city and provided an ideal climate for the arts and sciences.  In fact, many of the greatest inventors and artists of the period (Martin Behaim, designer of the first globe; Adam Kraft, sculptor) were from Nurnberg. After falling on hard times during the Thirty Years War, Nurnberg bounced back in the early 1800s when it became a part of the Kingdom of Bavaria. 

Nurnberg’s history and endurance was put through its toughest test in the 20th century when it survived the darkest chapter of its history after the Nazi’s choose the city as the site of their Party Rallies.  In the 1930s, the city of Nurnberg was a symbol of National Socialism and was then flattened by allied troops in 1945.  Thanks to extensive rebuilding efforts, Nurnberg has returned to its old form and visitors are able to sense the atmosphere of Historic Nurnberg.

Today, Nurnberg has half a million people that call it home.  It’s economy and reputation has bounced back from its darkest days in 1945 and now plays host to thousands of tourists each year.  Nurnberg has also become a sporting center in recent years.  Besides hosting the IIHF World In-Line Hockey Championship twice, it was also the host of the 2001 IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship. It has also since opened a Rally Grounds Documentation Center and has a massive historic museum at the site of the old Rally Grounds.

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