Discover Frankfurt am Main. Explore the best places to visit
Considering Frankfurt am Main was largely devastated during World War II, most of the landmarks are brilliantly reconstructed reproductions. However, this does not prevent it from becoming a popular tourist site. Aside from historic structures, there are several modern attractions, museums, and exhibits.
The oldest town hall in Germany is unquestionably the showpiece of Frankfurt. The name derives from the building, Haus zu Römer, which was purchased by the city council from a wealthy and aristocratic family in the 14th century. Nobody knows which Roman it was, but the square of the same name, with its exquisite half-timbered homes, has been around for nearly 600 years.
Many churches, cathedrals, and temples with religious names may be found in Frankfurt am Main. St. Paul’s Church, erected in 1833, served as the city’s primary temple for over a century. It is now used as a cultural center, hosting numerous events and award ceremonies.
The Imperial Cathedral of St. Bartholomew is located in Frankfurt. On top of it, there is an observation deck with breathtaking views of the city. The cathedral is embellished with one-of-a-kind murals, frescoes, and stained glass windows.
The home where the renowned German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born is surely one of Frankfurt‘s biggest attractions.
Goethe spent his youth in this mansion, where he composed “The Sorrows of Young Werther” and began work on “Faust.”
One of Frankfurt‘s most iconic structures is the Old Opera House, with its Neo-Renaissance stele double pediment. The slogan “To the True, to the Beautiful, to the Good” is written on the structure. Today, the structure serves as a venue for conventions. Except for the current technological areas, the sumptuous Renaissance edifice is an exact reproduction of the architectural marvel that was destroyed during the war.
The opera house originally opened in 1880, and the second in 1981, 101 years later. Both times, the opera was erected with public funds: in the nineteenth century, the sponsors were 67 affluent men, and in the twentieth century, ordinary residents raised 15 million marks to conserve the ruins and restore the opera. Visitors and residents at the Old Opera House come to witness more than just classical concerts. Here, rock and pop stars frequently perform.
Not many cities can offer as many museums as Frankfurt. From handicrafts to paintings, cinematic history to vintage plastics, Frankfurt’s famed Museum Embankment has something for everyone. This promenade is home to around 11 museums.
The German Film Museum, for example, shows the history of the film industry from silent films through Hollywood blockbusters. There is also a museum featuring ancient cameras and props from great classics.
The Städel, a sort of German Louvre, is well worth a visit. There are over 3,000 paintings and sculptures by prominent painters and sculptors. The museum’s collection includes works by Rembrandt, Degas, Picasso, Botticelli, Rodin, and Vermeer.
Nobody can ignore Frankfurt‘s world-renowned Palmengarten park. The fauna of practically all climatic zones is represented over an area of 20 hectares and in greenhouses totaling 9,000 square meters. Palmengarten hosts the world’s largest horticultural displays each year, attracting tens of thousands of people.
It’s every book lover’s dream to get to the Frankfurt Book Fair, which has been held every October for more than 500 years. It all started when Johannes Gutenberg invented the technique of printing with movable type. His monument was later erected not far from the Goethe Monument. For the Book Festival in Frankfurt am Main, writers, critics, illustrators and publishers arrive. Visitors can not only become the first owners of literary masterpieces, but also meet their favorite authors, and the Nobel laureate is sure to be present at the exhibition.
