Historic Rock-cut Cellars

The Felsengänge are a multi-level labyrinth of sandstone tunnels and vaulted cellars extending beneath Nuremberg's old town, first cut into the sandstone hill as early as the 14th century. Their primary purpose was practical: the near-constant temperature of around 8 °C made them ideal for storing the beer brewed by Nuremberg's medieval brewers, allowing cold-storage long before refrigeration existed. Parts of the tunnel network were deliberately kept secret until the mid-17th century. During World War II the cellars were repurposed as air-raid shelters, protecting hundreds of residents during the bombardments that destroyed much of the city above. Guided tours lasting roughly 60 minutes wind through the darkened passages by torchlight; the site is not wheelchair accessible.