Hohe Marter Metro Station

NurembergGermany 49° N · 11° E Verified Oct 2026

Hohe Marter Metro Station in Nuremberg, Germany, stands as a vital transit hub deeply embedded in the city’s historical, cultural, and urban fabric.

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Hohe Marter Metro Station, Nuremberg

What the station is

Hohe Marter Metro Station is in Nuremberg’s Schweinau district. Opened in 1986 as part of the city’s U-Bahn expansion, it serves the southwestern districts on the U2 line and connects residential, commercial, and industrial areas. The station is also known for its public art, especially Peter Angermann’s tile mosaic depicting the Nuremberg telecommunications tower (nahverkehr-franken.de).

History and urban context

The station was built in the 1980s to extend metro access to Nuremberg’s southwestern neighborhoods in response to urban growth and the need for efficient transit. Its underground structure was built using open-cut methods and integrated with busy Schweinauer Hauptstraße. At the northern end, exits at all four corners of a major intersection support pedestrian access.

The station stands in a predominantly residential district with commercial and light industrial areas. Its location supports the daily movement of commuters, students, and visitors, and helps reduce car dependence. The station’s name comes from a historic wayside column marking a former city boundary.

The station’s arrival has been associated with local development, higher property values, support for businesses, and community integration. The U-Bahn system also supports tourism: Nuremberg recorded over 3.2 million overnight stays in 2017 (city-rails.com).

The “Nahverkehrsentwicklungsplan 2025 plus” (Public Transport Development Plan 2025+) sets out ongoing investment to expand and modernize Nuremberg’s transit infrastructure, with Hohe Marter remaining a mobility and cultural hub (city-rails.com).

What to see

Peter Angermann’s tile mosaic

The station’s competition-winning design by Peter Angermann depicts the Fernmeldeturm (telecommunications tower) in a pixelated style across both platform walls: one side shows the tower by day and the other by night. The tower’s orientation matches the direction of travel. The mosaic uses approximately 120,000 ceramic tiles in 30 colors; it is also described as using over 120,000 tiles (en-academic.com).

The mosaic uses a trompe-l'œil effect to connect the underground station with a recognizable city landmark. Its scale and durable materials make it a distinctive feature of the station.

Architecture and materials

The station reflects a late 20th-century approach in Germany that treated metro stations as cultural spaces as well as transit points. Its underground platform is open and column-free, with design attention to passenger flow and safety.

The structure uses reinforced concrete and steel. Slip-resistant tile flooring and ceramic wall mosaics serve practical and aesthetic purposes, while ceiling acoustic panels help mitigate noise. Overhead and wall-mounted lighting supports visibility and safety, and the signage and subdued wayfinding colors are designed not to compete with the artwork.

Practical visiting information

Operating hours and frequency

Service runs daily from approximately 4:30 AM to 1:00 AM. Hours may be extended on weekends and during special events. Trains run every 5–10 minutes during peak periods and every 10–15 minutes off-peak. Check updated timetables on the VAG Nuremberg website.

Tickets and fare zones

Tickets can be bought from station vending machines, through the VGN app, or at authorized sales points. Single, day, and group tickets are available, and tickets are valid on U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses within Nuremberg’s integrated network (vag.de).

Hohe Marter is in VGN Zone 100 (central Nuremberg). Single tickets start at €2.90 and day passes at €6.70; group tickets are also available. See VGN Ticket Information.

Accessibility and facilities

The station is fully barrier-free, with elevators and ramps, including step-free access at both ends of the platform. Tactile guidance and paving support visually impaired passengers, and wide ticket gates accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, and luggage.

Seating and sheltered waiting areas are available on the platform. Public restrooms and parking facilities are accessible nearby, but are not inside the station.

Connections and wayfinding

The U2 line connects Röthenbach in the southwest with Nuremberg Airport in the north, passing through Plärrer, where passengers can transfer to U1 and U3, and Hauptbahnhof, the central station for regional and long-distance rail. Bus lines 35 and 65, nearby bike-sharing stations, and taxi stands provide further connections (VGN Network Map).

Blue “U” symbols mark metro entrances, and platform displays provide real-time train information. The VGN app offers route planning and live updates.

Tips

  • Avoid rush hour for a more relaxed visit; mid-morning or early afternoon may also make for a more comfortable journey.
  • Non-commercial photography is permitted and encouraged.
  • The station is well-lit, monitored by CCTV, and considered safe.
  • Plan journeys using the VGN app, purchase tickets in advance, and check network updates through official channels and the Audiala app.
  • The U2 line provides access to attractions in Nuremberg’s city center.

Nearby places

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Hohe Marter station’s operating hours?
Daily from approximately 4:30 AM to 1:00 AM, with extended service on weekends and during special events.

How can I buy tickets?
At station vending machines, through the VGN app, or at authorized points of sale.

Is the station accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes. It has elevators, ramps, and tactile guidance systems.

Can I take photos in the station?
Yes. Non-commercial photography is permitted.

Are guided tours offered?
Not officially, but local tour providers include Hohe Marter in art and culture tours.