Old Town Walking Tour (Self Guided), Frankfurt

Frankfurt Cathedral is a Gothic-style Roman Catholic temple dedicated to Saint Bartholomew. It is the main and the largest religious sight in Frankfurt – the height of its spire reaches 95 meters. Despite the name, it has never been a true cathedral though, but is called so – Kaiserdom (Imperial Cathedral) or simply the Dom – for its importance as a former election and coronation church of the Holy Roman Empire.

The present building is the third church on this site. The early temple was constructed over a 7th-century Merovingian chapel in 1250. A Gothic tower was added in the 15th century. In 1356, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor issued the Golden Bull by which all emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were to be elected in this collegiate church as kings of Germany; from 1562 to 1792, all emperors-elect had been crowned here as well.

In 1867, St. Bartholomew's was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in its present style. During WWII, between October 1943 and March 1944, the Old Town of Frankfurt had been devastated by six bombardments of the Allied Air Forces. The cathedral also suffered severe damage; its interior burned out completely and was reconstructed only in the 1950s.

St. Bartholomew's houses many splendid works of art, including a unique high altar and the Maria Schlaf altar located in St. Mary’s chapel. Inside, there is an Anthony Van Dyke Painting, ‘The Lamentation’, and a museum with many historic pieces including objects discovered in a grave of a Merovingian girl.

Why You Should Visit:
Admission is free and, if lucky, you may enjoy some impressive organ music, or take in panoramic views of Frankfurt from atop the cathedral's tower (for a small fee).

Tip:
Try and go on a weekday to avoid weekend crowd; make sure to take a bottle of water if you decide to climb the tower.

Opening Hours:
[Church] Mon-Thu, Sat: 9am-12pm / 1:15-8pm, Fri: 1:15-8pm; Sun: 1-8pm
[Tower] Daily: 9am-6pm (Apr-Oct), 10am-5pm (Nov-Mar)

The Römer ("Roman") is the Rathaus (City Hall) of Frankfurt and one of the main local historic landmarks. This medieval building has been in service for over 600 years and still houses offices of the local government.

In 1405, the Römer family of the wealthy Frankfurt merchants sold their house, along with the adjacent Goldener Schwan (Golden Swan) building, to the city council. Since then the property has continuously accommodated different civic offices until present. Over the years, the complex has been expanded by addition and purchase of nearby buildings, so today it represents a labyrinth of several structures connected by streets. A bridge, jokingly referred to as the “Bridge of Sighs” (after its famous counterpart in Venice), connects the Römer to the offices across the street. Two towers were added to the complex in the early 20th century. One of them is dubbed Langer Franz (Tall Franz) in homage to the city's tall mayor, and the other, smaller one, Kleiner Cohen (Small Cohen), after a popular song of the time.

Römerhalle and Schwanenhalle are the oldest rooms within the complex, and are virtually unchanged after 600 years. They are found on the ground floor of the Römer and Goldener Schwan houses, and can be entered directly from the main entrance in Römerberg.

Still, the main attraction of the Römer, perhaps, is Kaisersaal (the Emperor Hall) where coronation banquets of German Kings and Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire took place. The hall contains 52 portraits by famous artists of all the German Kings and Emperors, starting from Freidrich Barbarossa in 1152 to Franz II who was forced to abdicate by Napoleon in 1806. There is also an ornate balcony from where the rulers used to greet the crowds down below. The annual Christmas fair held in the square outside the City Hall is a regular attraction in its own right, drawing thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Why You Should Visit:
Truly an eye-catcher, even more interesting in the run-up to Christmas than during the rest of the year.
German history and culture is perfectly preserved in this Gingerbread part of town.

Tip:
Make sure you walk to the river to catch the Frankfurt cityscape which is only a few hundred meters away!

Opening Hours (Tourist Information Center):
Mon-Fri: 9:30am-5:30pm; Sat-Sun: 9:30am-4pm

Römerberg ("Roman Mountain") is the town hall square lying in front of (and subsequently named after) the Römer complex, seat of the Frankfurt city administration since the 15th century. As the site of numerous imperial coronations, trade fairs and Christmas markets, this square marks the historic heart of the medieval Altstadt (Old Town) and is a popular tourist destination. In the 20th century, Römerberg was the scene of many major events, both joyful and not so. On May 10, 1933, the infamous book burning organized by the Nazi German Student Union took place here. In between 1932 and 1939, the internationally renowned Römerberg Festival had been held here every summer, with nearly 350 open-air theater shows performed during the period.

Much of Römerberg's historical heritage, consisting of partly Gothic and partly Baroque architecture, was destroyed by Allied air raids in 1944. Today's square is the result of externally true to the original reconstructions and new buildings raised in the 1950s-1980s. The eastern part of Römerberg, also known as Samstagsberg (Saturday Mountain), represents a row of historical half-timbered houses, namely: Großer and Kleiner Engel, Goldener Greif, Wilder Mann, Kleiner Dachsberg, Großer Laubenberg, Kleiner Laubenberg, and Schwarzer Stern, built between 1981 and 1984. The name “Saturday Mountain” possibly comes from an open-air court that was held here every Saturday during the Carolingian era, when the Königspfalz Frankfurt lay east of the square. The Frankfurt Jews were only allowed to enter Römerberg during the fair, otherwise they had to go to the Saturday market.

To the north, there are four new buildings featuring Neo-Gothic, Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque styles, replacing the six old houses demolished in 1906. In the south, Römerberg is presided over by the early Gothic Alte Nikolaikirche (Old St Nicholas Church). The new building of the Historical Museum, also located on the south side of the square, at the entrance to Saalgasse, was opened in October 2017.

The Fountain of Justice has been in Römerberg since 1543.

The Old St Nicholas Church (German: Alte Nikolaikirche) is a medieval Lutheran church located near the Römer city hall in Frankfurt's Altstadt (Old Town). It is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen. The first chapel on this site was built in the mid-12th century, while the current in the mid-15th. The foundations of the previous Nikolaikirche found during excavations are now marked on the floor and give the impression of its dimensions.

The Reformation proved a turning point in the history of Nikolaikirche. In 1543 the church was closed and its altars demolished. The building was leased for over 150 years and used as an archive for the municipal jury and, at times, as a warehouse during trade fairs. A trumpeter watchman stationed in the steeple, announced the arrival of boats up and down the Main by blowing a horn. The bugle was also sounded, like the modern day alarm, when fires were sighted.

In the 15th century, a tower with leveled roof and a balcony were added to the existing structure. The balcony served as a viewing gallery for aristocrats when passion plays and other events took place in the plaza below. In 1838, the church was completely renovated. The previously closed northern portal, facing Saturday Mountain, was opened and the roof, gallery and corner turret were renewed. In 1903, the damaged cast-iron spire was torn down and replaced in 1904 by the pointed copper roof that still exists.

During World War II, the Alte Nikolaikirche was one of the very few historical buildings in downtown Frankfurt spared from destruction by aerial warfare. Only the 19th century organ, despite being walled in, had become unusable from the effects of the war for reasons not quite known. The reconstruction of the building, started in the summer of 1947, was completed relatively quickly by the end of December 1948.

The church has a double aisle hall with a high Gothic choir and 51 bells, four of which are used for peals and 47 for carillons. The church is also renowned for its acoustics. Organ concerts, hand bells, trumpets, choirs and brass bands are hosted here regularly during the year. Another attraction is the spiral stairway leading to the gallery which affords a spectacular view of Romerberg plaza.

The Historisches Museum Frankfurt (Frankfurt History Museum) was founded in 1878. Aimed at recounting momentous events that have shaped the city, the museum houses several permanent exhibitions, featuring cultural and other objects relating to the history of Frankfurt from the early medieval period to the present, as well as provides space for temporary ones.

Permanent exhibits are arranged in a chronological order, taking visitors through the early medieval times when Frankfurt was a city-state, the late Middle Ages, the 16th-18th centuries, the 19th century and the city between 1866 and 2001. Special exhibitions are also held regularly.

The HMF moved to its current location – the 12th-century Romanesque Palace, called Salhoff – in 1955. Today, it represents a complex of five historical buildings, plus a new exhibition hall and a small administration building replacing the extension built in 1972.

At the entry, visitors are greeted with a portrait of Charlemagne. Further inside, the museum treasures include the St. Anne altarpiece from a Carmelite church, the Heller altarpiece by Albrecht Durer from a Dominican cloister, and a sculpture depicting the reconciliation of Emperor Otto I with his brother Heinrich by Alfred Rathel. Major attractions within the museum are the three scale models of the city made by the Treuner brothers: one showing medieval Frankfurt, the other showing the city after the 1944 bombardment, and a third modern postwar model of Frankfurt.

The Historisches Museum also has an interactive space for children, a large collection of porcelain and a unique collection of comic books.

Why You Should Visit:
The museum marries old and new in its build and proves Frankfurt's importance as an international cultural hub.
All exhibits provide descriptions in German & English; the interactive digital info is a state of the art.
Sharp new connected buildings are a joy to be in; also, there is an awesome cafe with both inside & outside seating.

Tip:
Allow plenty of time if you're a first-time visitor, as the layout of the place can sometimes get confusing.

Opening Hours:
Tue, Thu, Fri: 10am-6pm; Wed: 10am-9pm; Sat, Sun: 11am-7pm

The Wertheim, also known as Wertheym, is a half-timbered house built around 1600 at the Fahrtor, between Romerplatz and the Main river. This is a listed building and the only house of its kind in the Old Town that has survived almost intact the World War II. In large part for this fact, much as for its unique Renaissance appearance – typical of the Frankfurt architectural style – and a favorable position, this building is now very popular among tourists.

The name Wertheim was first mentioned in 1383, referring to the then owner of the property on this site, who probably came from Wertheim. The current building dates back to around 1600 and, apparently, served initially as a warehouse with the goods stored and traded in the open basement between the arcades or in the cellar vaults, especially during fairs in spring and autumn.

From the 17th to the 19th century, the Wertheim had served as a customs house and facility for the city guard. In 1926, after renovation, there was a café and a restaurant on the ground floor.

The Wertheim was the only one of nearly 1,250 half-timbered houses in the Old Town to have come out largely unscathed from the air raids in World War II. Some credit it to an exit made in 1940 onto Römerberg, next to the extinguishing water basin at the Justice Fountain.

Still, it wasn't until 1963 that the Haus Wertheim was placed under monument protection which led to its eventual restoration in the mid-1970s. Following that, between 1981 and 1983, the half-timbered houses on Saturday Mountain had been reconstructed, and from 2012 to 2017 several historic streets had been built as part of the Dom-Römer project.

Eiserner Steg (Iron Bridge) is a pedestrian bridge over the river Main connecting the Old Town of Frankfurt with the Sachsenhausen district. It is also known as the “Love Lock Bridge” for being hung with tons of locks interlinked with each other, forming an enormous chain, symbol of "eternal love".

The bridge has been in place since 1868, and was built initially through public subscription. The original version was replaced in 1912 with a widened, reinforced and elevated construction. By that time the Main had become navigable upstream, so the low headroom of the Iron Bridge presented a traffic obstacle for large barges. Although its external appearance was retained for historical reasons, structurally – in terms of the load-bearing principle – the bridge was made completely different, switching from a suspension to a cantilever model.

After World War II, the Eiserne Steg was one of the first bridges in Germany to be rebuilt – in 1946 – after it had been blown up by the Wehrmacht in the last days of the war. In 1993, it underwent a complete renovation, prompted by decades-long corrosion gnawing at the steel, following which two elevators and prams were also added to ease access for wheelchairs. The bridge now has a clearance height of 6.50 m.

The Greek motto, a quote from Homer's Odyssey: ΠΛΕΩΝ ΕΠΙ ΟΙΝΟΠΑ ΠΟΝΤΟΝ ΕΠ ΑΛΛΟΘΡΟΟΥΣ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΥΣ (“Sailing on the dark sea to people of another tongue”), spanning the steel construction over the northern pillar, was created by artist Hagen Bonifer in 1999 to celebrate the year of Goethe.

Tip:
If you're into photography, come here at sunset and you'll be able to take some very nice shots of Frankfurt's skyline (but be ready for a crowd).

The former convent of the Carmelite order, from 1246 to 1803, Karmeliterkloster is the seat of the Institute for City History and the Archaeological Museum.

The Carmelites established themselves in Frankfurt in 1246. The monastery quickly gained momentum and became one of the largest building complexes in the Old Town. In 1424, their church was remodeled to the late Gothic style. To a single-vessel church the Carmelites then added a chapel and a two-aisle refectory hall. The latter was covered with frescoes, largest in Northern Europe, including painted history of the Carmelite order and a 16th century depiction of Christ’s birth and death by artist Jorg Ratgeb who was later cruelly executed for taking part in the German peasant’s revolution of 1525.

After the secularization of Frankfurt in 1803, all the monastery's possessions were claimed by the city, including 25 hectares of vineyards in Hochheim am Main. Over the years, the main building had served as a warehouse, garrison, fire department and a theater. It was almost completely destroyed during World War II and its frescoes were badly damaged. The building was finally refurbished in 1987-1989.

Since 1959, the Carmelite Monastery has housed the Institute for City History, which is the former municipal archives, as well as collections of the Museum of Prehistory and Early History (now the Archaeological Museum), featuring objects from the Stone Age and the Roman civilization period, plus the ones extracted from the Frankish and Alemanic graves. It is also home to a cabaret theater located in the basement, called Die Schmiere (The Grease), staging satirical plays and much loved by the local theater-goers.

Grosser Hirschgraben 23 in Frankfurt is the place where philosopher-writer Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe was born and raised, and where he wrote his famous works: Götz von Berlichingen, Faust, and The Sorrows of Young Werther. The house was destroyed during World War II but was reconstructed with loving care to its 17th-century splendor, in memory of Frankfurt’s best-known son, by the local citizens.

The museum opened to the public in 1863 and has since remained a shrine for Goethe enthusiasts from all over the world. Decorated with period furniture and paintings, it provides an authentic environment in which Goethe spent his youth, reflecting the lifestyle enjoyed by affluent 17th century Germans, featuring various Baroque, Neoclassical and Rococo elements. Among the rooms painstakingly restored after the war are the library where Wolfgang Goethe’s father worked and looked out for the return of his son, and the portrayal of an authentic 17th century German Kitchen.

The puppet theater that Goethe treasured enough to make the focal point of his novel 'Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship' is also on view. One of the treasures within the house is a large classic clock on the 2nd floor that tells the time, date, lunar and solar year. The building houses Goethe’s father’s vast collection of art, including paintings by well-known Frankfurt artists. The adjacent Frankfurter Goethe Museum contains books, works of art and manuscripts all related, in some way or other, to Goethe.

Goethe House is open through the week and is free for children under 6. Visitors can request the help of volunteers to understand the significance of every Goethe-related object on display.

Why You Should Visit:
More than you'd normally expect; apart from the house itself (completely nice to see), you can visit a gallery (up the staircase) that is no smaller than some art museums you'd want to pay much to visit. Great value!

Tip:
Good to either take an audio guide or make sure to grab a pamphlet at the entrance in the relevant language.

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 10am–6pm; Sun: 10am–5:30pm

The Kleinmarkthalle is a market hall in the Old Town of Frankfurt. On working days, 63 retailers in 156 market stalls on an area of around 1,500 square meters offer fresh food, flowers and seeds here. Nowadays, in addition to regional specialties, like the green sauce, imported foods are also sold at this market. Some dealers operate snack stands inside the hall as well. This makes the Kleinmarkthalle a retail center of importance for the entire Rhine-Main region.

What to buy here: Frankfurter in a can.

Frankfurt lends its name to the pork sausages known around the world as the “frankfurter”. Although it tastes best fresh, at least one butcher has come up with a canned product suitable as an edible city souvenir that can be transported long distances. The history of Gref-Völsings goes back to 1894 and the founding of a butchery by the same name. Gref-Völsings products are found all over town, in supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants and butcher shops. For its canned products, the company uses a traditional design to pack its sausages. Frankfurters are long and slender, and a half-dozen will fit into a can that sells for about 6 euros. Suggestions for both fresh and canned Frankfurters are butchers’ Metzgerei Ullmann or Schoen in the city market at Kleinmarkthalle, Hasengasse 5-7, 60311 Frankfurt.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 08:00-18:00; Saturdays: 08:00-16:00

Once the center of a large cattle trade in Frankfurt, this busy lane has been one of the most famous shopping venues in Germany since the end of the 19th century. The Zeil is a shoppers’ paradise where visitors with varied budgets can find a range of products suiting their pockets, from mid-priced supermarket fare to high-end merchandise. Luxury goods, designer brands, handicrafts, clothes by young Frankfurt designers and more are found here in rich supply. There are outlets of all the major German retail chains, plus those offering products from the Frankfurt area.

The name Zeil dates back to the 14th century, and is derived from the German word Zeile, which means "row". Originally, it referred to a row of houses on the eastern end of the north side, and was not extended to the entire street until later.

Prior to World War II, the Zeil hosted an array of grand buildings, most of which were destroyed and never rebuilt. Its western part, between two large plazas – Hauptwache in the west and Konstablerwache in the east, is now a pedestrian zone. These plazas serve as major intersections for underground trains, trams and buses. Following a major renovation in 2008-2009, the Zeil pedestrian zone was extended to the west, as far as the Börsenstrasse.

The three edifices dominating the Zeil today include the Zeilgalerie, a 10-storey shopping center with a unique spiral design, home to many music- and electronic stores and restaurants. Another grand is a shopping center, called the Palais Quartier, a blend of Modern and Baroque architecture; it has a spectacular vortex-like glass façade, glass columns and irregularly shaped ramps. And finally, the 12-storey Beehive House, a commercial and office building, which is also one of Frankfurt’s earliest skyscrapers.

Why You Should Visit:
A unique shopping experience in what could be referred to as an "outdoor shopping mall"; a perfect place to acclimate to Europe if you arrive in Frankfurt – fun to shop, eat and explore, while admiring the architecture. As a bonus, you don't need to worry about cars while crossing the street either.

Hauptwache is a central point of Frankfurt and one of the most famous plazas in the city. The original name Schillerplatz was superseded in the early 1900s. The Hauptwache ("Main Guardroom") building, which gave the square its current name, dates back to 1730, and was designed by German master builder Johann Samhammer. It features red sandstone Baroque-style exterior and a hipped Gothic style triangular roof with three chimneys.

The original purpose of the place was to house headquarters of the city's Stadtwehr militia and a prison, when Frankfurt was an independent city-state. The Hauptwache went down in history when it was stormed by student activists in a failed attempt at freeing political prisoners in 1833, called the Frankfurter Wachensturm. The building then served as a police station, and in 1904 became a cafe which it still remains to this very day. It marks one end of the Zeil and adds a great deal of old-world architectural charm to this busy part of Frankfurt.

On 7 April 1920, the square was the scene of yet another Hauptwache incident when French troops opened fire on students protesting against the French occupation of Frankfurt. Heavily burned in World War II bombing, the building was reopened in a provisional form with an altered roof in 1954. In 1967, amid the construction of the U-Bahn tunnel through the city, the Hauptwache edifice was dismantled, moved and then rebuilt over the new underground U-Bahn station.

Today, Hauptwache station is one of the most important crosspoints of the Frankfurt public transport system, served by eight S-Bahn and six U-Bahn lines. A key element of the plaza is a sunken terrace leading down to the station and an underground pedestrian area with shops, dubbed by the locals as "das Loch" (the Hole).

Visitors, commuters and shoppers can enjoy a light refreshing meal at the Hauptwache café with its quaint ambiance reminiscent of a momentous past. Apart from it, the surrounding buildings are mostly modern high-risers, except for the imposing St. Catherine's Church.

Tip:
If the weather permits, sit down and have a glass of beer, glühwein, or Frankfurter apple wine outside the Hauptwache.
If you're lucky, there will be an apple wine festival when you arrive; then you could mingle with the local professionals, wine-lovers and travelers alike.

There aren't that many cities out there where most of the world’s finest luxury labels have taken up residence in a single street. Goethestrasse (Goethe Street) is one such avenue, where even the most discerning shoppers can find everything they want, all within a few steps, making it one of the most famous and the third busiest shopping lane in Germany.

Nicknamed Luxusgasse (‘luxury lane’) or Frankfurt's Fifth Avenue, this tree-lined street provides visitors with almost 300 meters of temptation, and is named after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a German writer and statesman. Built between 1892 and 1894, it has since survived more than one chapter of Germany’s turbulent history and is now home to a mix of classical, modernist and contemporary buildings that play host to some of the world’s biggest brands and most revered labels.

Goethestrasse features the latest collections of top international designers, such as Armani, Bally, Bulgari, Burberry, Chanel, Ermenegildo Zegna, Gucci, Hermès, Hugo Boss, Jil Sander, Louis Vuitton, Longchamp, Jimmy Choo, Montblanc, Patek Philippe, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tiffany & Co., Tumi, Versace, and Vertu. Apart from the designer clothing, there are also high-end boutiques offering selected jewelry from exclusive brands, like Cartier and Tiffany. In addition, this shopping street also caters to those seeking art, household items and eye wear.

Named after the nearby Main, the Main Tower is a 56-storey, 200 m (656 ft) skyscraper, the 4th tallest building in Frankfurt and all of Germany. Complete with its antenna spire, the building stands 240 m (787 ft) high. The tower has five underground floors and two public viewing platforms, and is the only skyscraper in Frankfurt with a public viewing observatory.

The building's design features what appears to be two connected towers: the smaller, cuboid one with a glass façade, common to the 1970s' architecture; and the second, taller one, of a circular shape clad entirely in blue colored glass, featuring the transmission tower on top.

Construction of the Main Tower began in 1996 and was completed in 1999. The tower has 55 floors with functioning windows making it an eco-friendly modern high-rise structure. The building houses the offices of several German and international banks, and is virtually the financial center of Frankfurt. There are also a television and radio stations. During TV weather reports, the reporter stands on top of the building.

In the foyer, there are two art pieces accessible to the public: the video installation by Bill Viola "The World of Appearances" and the wall mosaic by Stephan Huber "Frankfurter Treppe / XX. Jahrhundert" ("Frankfurt's Steps/20th century").

Visitors to the observation deck at the top floor are encouraged to take a map to spot Frankfurt’s numerous landmarks from atop. One floor below is a restaurant and bar with large windows offering panoramic 360-degree panorama of the city. On clear days you can see as far as the Mainz, Wiesbaden, Hanau, and Taunus Mountains.

Why You Should Visit:
There are a few elevated places in Frankfurt which provide amazing views of the city, but the Main Tower has to be the tallest and the best amongst them.
Unlike some other observation decks, the top of the Main Tower is completely open other than a low railing. There's no glass between you and the sky.

Tip:
Go before sunset to see Frankfurt in daylight and 20 minutes later in the light of a big city.
Also, make sure to wrap up if going during the colder months.

Opening Hours:
[Foyer: Art exhibition] Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm
[Observation deck: Summer] Sun-Thu: 10am-9pm; Fri, Sat: 10am-11pm
[Observation deck: Winter] Sun-Thu: 10am-7pm; 10am-9pm