Hotel Victoria Nürnberg
Königstraße 80 90402 Nürnberg Bayern, Germany
+49 911 24050 ab 82 EUR

Passion
for tradition

Our time-honoured, charming and young at heart Victoria (Psst! She turns 120!) gets interviewed in occasion of her anniversary... with a couple of keywords and pictures she will tell us all about her eventful story.

Take your time to listen, as there is a lot to tell about many encounters, events and stories of more than one century of hotel tradition... Victoria will present us the most extraordinary moments and experiences in a colorful way!

Have lots of fun with it!
 

1896

My eventful story in Nuremberg starts in 1896. This is, to put it another way, my date of birth.

Carl Schnorr built me back at that time - before he purchased the Grand Hotel - and opened my doors in occasion of the National Bavarian Exhibition in Nuremberg in May 1896.

Location

My location was very unique back then as well as today.

Nuremberg has been an important linchpin for trade and crafts since the Middle Ages. Later, in 1835, the first German steam train, the Adler (German for “Eagle”), ran for the first time from Nuremberg to the nearby town of Fürth.

Location

My location was very unique back then as well as today.

Nuremberg has been an important linchpin for trade and crafts since the Middle Ages. Later, in 1835, the first German steam train, the Adler (German for “Eagle”), ran for the first time from Nuremberg to the nearby town of Fürth.

No better location could have therefore been selected for a new hotel! So close to the train station and yet so charmingly protected by the medieval city walls and by the mighty tower of the King’s gate. No wonder that I benefit from this location and that my guests recognize the huge advantage as well.

Architecture

The theme architecture plays a very important role in my life.

If you take a closer look to the façade, you will find out that I am a beautiful example of the "New Nuremberg style". Nowadays I am completely under monumental protection.

Architecture

The theme architecture plays a very important role in my life.

If you take a closer look to the façade, you will find out that I am a beautiful example of the "New Nuremberg style". Nowadays I am completely under monumental protection.

On the outside I mostly reflect the Gothic style, which is so typical for Nuremberg, and at the same time I include some elements of the Renaissance. Both styles are reminiscent of the golden era of Nuremberg at the time of Dürer. The style itself is quite easy to recognize by the bay windows, the turrets and the so called “Chörlein”, that emerge from the facade and are usually richly decorated.

An article of the weekly supplement of the official newspaper of Nuremberg and Fürth dated May ,1st 1897 gives a detailed descricption of the hotel on its opening day. A quotation of this article can be found in the German website.

I was built to be something very special.

Today I am entirely under monumental protection. It makes me very happy to know that even now, in the 21st century, huge efforts are made to preserve my historical heritage.

1900

At the turn of the century I was already considered to be one of the best locations for important events.

In 1900 the Allgemeine Schnauferl Club (ASC) was established during the general motor vehicle exhibition. An association, which is still committed to the preservation and tradition of vintage cars.

1900

At the turn of the century I was already considered to be one of the best locations for important events.

In 1900 the Allgemeine Schnauferl Club (ASC) was established during the general motor vehicle exhibition. An association, which is still committed to the preservation and tradition of vintage cars.

In 2000 the club members celebrated here their 100th anniversary and, according to their good tradition, they made show of their wonderful vehicles right on the square Klarissenplatz.

Back to my story:

This advertising shows how proud I was to be considered a very modern and classy place. And now it makes me even happier to see myself in such a beautiful comparison to the Grand Hotel.

Popular postcard theme

My own postcards are my pride and joy. These are truly fantastic memories of that time.

It honors me very much that these postcards are still to be found in beautiful old bound books.

Popular postcard theme

My own postcards are my pride and joy. These are truly fantastic memories of that time.

It honors me very much that these postcards are still to be found in beautiful old bound books.

Even today, in a digital world, new postcards are available that our guests may use to delight their family and friends with regards from Nuremberg and from my hotel.

Sometimes I am very curious about what my guests might tell about me.

The brothers Wrede

In 1906 the brothers Wrede took over the management.

I don’t know the reason why Carl Schnorr decided to sell me... and unfortunately I can’t even remember much about the time with the brothers Wrede.

The brothers Wrede

In 1906 the brothers Wrede took over the management.

I don’t know the reason why Carl Schnorr decided to sell me... and unfortunately I can’t even remember much about the time with the brothers Wrede.

This is one of my favorite pictures, witnessing their role in my story and showing the document of sale that finally brought me to my present family.

A few menus also date back that time.

1920

My heyday was in the 1920s.
I welcomed my guests offering them the highest comfort and I felt irresistible.

The famous Nuremberg businessman Joseph Schuler – who is by the way the great grandfather of Sabine Powels, my current managing partner - obviously liked me so much that he decided to purchase me and became the master of my fate since then.

1920

My heyday was in the 1920s.
I welcomed my guests offering them the highest comfort and I felt irresistible.

The famous Nuremberg businessman Joseph Schuler – who is by the way the great grandfather of Sabine Powels, my current managing partner - obviously liked me so much that he decided to purchase me and became the master of my fate since then.

No secret that I am a big Club fan! This was a real golden age! Nuremberg became even the football capital after winning 5 German championships.

You did not need to tremble at every season as I do now - what an excitement!

Celebrations

It was time to celebrate.

Beautiful rooms, fine cuisine, my own wine cellar ... I rock myself with the rhythm of the music and reminisce about those days.

Celebrations

It was time to celebrate.

Beautiful rooms, fine cuisine, my own wine cellar ... I rock myself with the rhythm of the music and reminisce about those days.

Speaking of fine cuisine ... my restaurant was awarded in Frankfurt in 1937 with the honor certificate of the 7th International Culinary Art Exhibition. It is not too long ago that we found this certificate among the treasures of our deep cellars.

1945

Nothing is known about my role during the war years.

In all modesty, I was certainly run professionally, but luckily I don’t have to look back on negatively connoted, famous guests of that time.

1945

Nothing is known about my role during the war years.

In all modesty, I was certainly run professionally, but luckily I don’t have to look back on negatively connoted, famous guests of that time.

Only one time in my life this fantastic location in the heart of the city has been fatal for me. Just like so many other buildings in Nuremberg I was severely damaged by the devastating bomb attacks and I burnt down almost to the foundation walls. The desperation was huge!

Faith in the future

Luckily Joseph Schuler had the courage and the energy to invest in my future again and so he reconstructed me between 1945 and 1948.

An old marble plaque on the back of the hotel is still witness of this part of my story.

Faith in the future

Luckily Joseph Schuler had the courage and the energy to invest in my future again and so he reconstructed me between 1945 and 1948.

An old marble plaque on the back of the hotel is still witness of this part of my story.

Joseph Schuler and then even his son Theodor (born in 1920) had no doubts about my value and strength. That’s why I still carry my old name Victoria today and I enjoy the trust placed in me.

My new brochure of the time after the reconstruction listed all those amazing details that made my guests’ accommodation in Nuremberg a very pleasant stay and invited them to return.

And the good thing is that now as well as back then my dear guests are always happy to come back. This is a great honor for me!

Celebrities

Of course I used to host many famous guests in my hotel rooms.

But it is obvious for a property of my rank to grant the highest confidentiality in this matter.

Celebrities

Of course I used to host many famous guests in my hotel rooms.

But it is obvious for a property of my rank to grant the highest confidentiality in this matter.

There is only one picture showing Elisabeth Schuler, the grandmother of Sabine Powels, who looks very honored to welcome the famous actor O.W. Fischer to the hotel.

1970s

The 1970s were a time of new changes.

They had rebuilt me very quickly after the war and I was therefore unfortunately far away from my past splendour as far my façade was concerned.

1970s

The 1970s were a time of new changes.

They had rebuilt me very quickly after the war and I was therefore unfortunately far away from my past splendour as far my façade was concerned.

Always driven by ambition when it comes to my appearance, I managed to convince my owners to run for the Nuremberg prize of the most beautiful historic façade in 1976, this was the opportunity for me to be polished and brought back to shine again. And so, from October 1975 to February 1976, we did a great job in remodeling the rooms, the bathrooms and renewing the complete electrical and water supply system. Of course it took a lot of sacrifices but the result was worth them. Once again, I was able to show my youthfulness out of my traditional appearance.

I even won that competition in the end.

The local newspaper Nürnberger Nachrichten described my famous façade in an article dated March 12, 1976.

But the process of renovation did not stop here. In 1978 the hotel own restaurant was opened with the name of "Victoria-Keller". This event was worth the headlines again! The Nürnberger Nachrichten praised in June 16, 1978 the stylistic elegance and the high culinary level of the restaurant.

Nevertheless, after a few years, this adventure did not turn out to be a great success. In spite of various attempts, unfortunately the great culinary era at the Victoria had come to an end. When numerous traditional as well as international restaurants conquered the Nuremberg scene, dining at the hotel was no longer considered in vogue.

On the other hand, the hotel business was booming. Thanks to my outstanding location I was the best spot for business guests from local companies as well as for tourists. When I looked around, there were only a few hotels that could really compete with me.

1996

1896-1996.
100 years have passed.

I am a little disappointed because of the lack of enthusiasm and because no one celebrated this great birthday with me. This changed in 1996 when with my new managing director, Sabine Powels, a genuine passion and an almost contagious energy came into my house.

1996

1896-1996.
100 years have passed.

I am a little disappointed because of the lack of enthusiasm and because no one celebrated this great birthday with me. This changed in 1996 when with my new managing director, Sabine Powels, a genuine passion and an almost contagious energy came into my house.

Since then I no longer had to worry of being neglected, because this family quickly realized that the location alone was no guarantee of success, of course it takes much more!

Luckily Theodor Schuler, who strongly believed in his granddaughter Sabine Powels, proved to be a man of courage and vision. In 1996, after Miss Powels had finished her business studies and had collected several experiences abroad as well, he asked her to take over the management. By this time she was only 24 years old but my guests and the working team are now thankful for this decision! Shortly before all my rooms had been renovated, so that we were now able to start with full energy into the future.

With the great support of Jochen Powels, father of Sabine Powels, in the management I finally turned into a real family business and I felt very safe especially in financial matters.

I was also promised to receive a big birthday party very soon.

Turn of the Millennium

At the beginning of new millennium a deep and constant process of renovations was started with a clear concept to consolidate my structure.

Thanks to a complex renovation of the basement we preserved my existence and ensured my future. In the following years a large amount of money was invested to update the structural fire protection in order to meet the requirements of modern fire safety regulations.

Turn of the Millennium

At the beginning of new millennium a deep and constant process of renovations was started with a clear concept to consolidate my structure.

Thanks to a complex renovation of the basement we preserved my existence and ensured my future. In the following years a large amount of money was invested to update the structural fire protection in order to meet the requirements of modern fire safety regulations.

After that we were able to foreground those things that let me appear to all citizens and visitors for what I really am: A real gem of the Nuremberg hotel tradition. In a unique location between tradition and modernity… because in 2000 my new neighbor, the New Museum of Modern Art and Design, was inaugurated.

We took the opportunity to renovate the façade on the backside with a thermal barrier coating and a beautiful fresh paint. Besides that I also remember the opening of my famous terrace cafe: my own La Terrazza, and shortly after the remodeling of the junior suite, which is now a real highlight!

Tradition made modern

The process of renovation was most accurately completed with the assistance of the architect Mathias Kreibich and his staff of the blauhaus office. In the following reconstruction and remodeling works they carefully considered my architectural history and developed the concept of making my tradition a concrete experience for the modern age.

All truly ancient details are not only preserved but also receive a special emphasis and often acquire a modern interpretation.

Tradition made modern

The process of renovation was most accurately completed with the assistance of the architect Mathias Kreibich and his staff of the blauhaus office. In the following reconstruction and remodeling works they carefully considered my architectural history and developed the concept of making my tradition a concrete experience for the modern age.

All truly ancient details are not only preserved but also receive a special emphasis and often acquire a modern interpretation.

The unveiling of my now historically accurate restored front façade in autumn 2007 was the absolute highlight of this process. I was promised to receive a birthday celebration any time soon and there it was… the glittering birthday party for my 111th birthday! Not only the management and my team came to celebrate with me, but also many guests and visitors. It was an unforgettable event!

Till today

It has now become a tradition for me to be continuously refiled and polished and to work every year on those details that make me even more unique.

At this point I stop telling about my story because the result can be personally experienced and admired by all guests in person.

Till today

It has now become a tradition for me to be continuously refiled and polished and to work every year on those details that make me even more unique.

At this point I stop telling about my story because the result can be personally experienced and admired by all guests in person.

I would like to mention that since 2014 I’ve been classified with 4 stars. This is the right reward for the continuous work and engagement from my side and for me!

THANK YOU

Despite of my age I feel younger and fresher than ever before. I look at the future quite elated, because inside me there is a fantastic team at work - all wonderful and hearted personalities from different cultures and countries, that day by day accurately take care of my cleanliness and good organization and also make sure that I present myself spick-and-span to my guests and that I can warmly welcome the world.

We celebrated my 120th birthday with a fantastic event by the end of October with regular guests, partners and of course my team:

Delicious food, drinks from the different decades of my life, a singer who dedicated songs especially to me, great talks and a fantastic atmosphere made it a truly unforgettable evening.

Besides also my managing director Sabine Powels was celebrated for the 20 years in which she already takes care of my incomparable success.

All Victorians are looking forward to the next exciting and eventful years!

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