Courtroom 600 and the Nuremberg Trials

On the western edge of the city centre, the Palace of Justice on Fürther Strasse holds one of the most significant rooms in modern legal history. Courtroom 600 is where, from November 1945 to October 1946, the International Military Tribunal tried twenty-two senior Nazi leaders for crimes against peace, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The choice of Nuremberg was practical as well as symbolic: the Palace of Justice was largely intact, had a connected prison, and was big enough for the proceedings. The trials set legal precedents that shaped later international criminal courts and the idea that individuals, not just states, can be held to account. Alongside the courtroom, the Memorium Nuremberg Trials museum explains the proceedings, the evidence and the defendants, using audio guides, documents and film. A visit is often paired with the rally grounds for a full picture of the city's twentieth-century story.

The Memorium exhibition, located on an upper floor of the same building, tells the story clearly. It covers the preparations by the four Allied powers, the indictments, the legal arguments and the verdicts, and it places the main trial within the twelve successor trials held in the same building until 1949. A special focus is given to the evidence, including film footage of concentration camps, which was shown in the courtroom and left a lasting impression on all present.

The exhibition then follows the legacy of the trials in international law, from the Genocide Convention to the International Criminal Court. English audio guides are available and well produced.

Courtroom 600 itself is smaller than many visitors expect, a high-ceilinged room with wooden panels, the original dock and the places where interpreters worked in a pioneering simultaneous translation system. One practical caution: the room remains in use by the regional court, so it can be closed to visitors on days when trials or hearings are scheduled.

Check the day's access before you plan your trip, and arrive early to avoid queues. A guided tour, such as the combination of Courtroom 600 with the rally grounds and old town, takes the guesswork out of that and adds background on the personalities involved.

Allow two to three hours for the Memorium and the courtroom, with security checks at the entrance. The Palace of Justice is a short U-Bahn ride from the centre, so it combines with the old town on the same day. Photography rules apply inside the courtroom, and bags may need to be stored in lockers.

The exhibition deals with genocide, so the tone is serious and some material is distressing; younger visitors should be accompanied by an adult and prepared for the subject. Many travellers say that this is the stop that stays with them longest.

The visit works best when it is not rushed. Read the opening panels about the Allied decision to hold the trial in Germany, listen to at least one excerpt from the proceedings, and leave time to sit quietly afterwards. Nearby, the Fürther Strasse area has simple cafes and bakeries, and the U-Bahn makes it easy to return to the old town for a lighter evening. Pairing the day with a gentle walk along the Pegnitz can help balance the weight of the material.