Frankfurt Tourist Attractions
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Top Tourist Attractions in Frankfurt
This old imperial city on the Main, by virtue of its central situation an intermediary between North and South Germany, is one of the most important commercial and economic centers in the country, with the headquarters of the Bundesbank, the leading German stock exchange and numerous major banks.
Hauptwache
In the center of Frankfurt lies the square called An der Hauptwache (large shopping area in underpass; S-Bahn and U-Bahn station), with the Baroque Hauptwache (Guard-House; renovated 1981-82). From this square Frankfurt's main shopping and commercial streets radiate: the Zeil (pedestrian zone), going east, and Kaiserstrasse (with many places of entertainment in side streets), which runs southwest by way of the Rossmarkt (Gutenberg memorial) and Kaiserplatz to the city's main station (Hauptbahnhof; 1883-88, with later renovation), one of the largest stations in Europe.
Central Station
Three great arcs of girders reach from one side platform to the opposing platform in a majestic sweep, dividing the three main train-sheds into their separate parts.
Theaterplatz
Southwest of Frankfurt's Kaiserplatz, in Theaterplatz, is the Municipal Theater (Städtische Bühnen), with three houses (opera, theater, chamber theater).On the north side of the Theater towers the BfG-Hochhaus, the offices of the Cooperative Bank.
Municipal Theater
You can see major operas in Frankfurt in two different houses -- one which looks old and one which looks new -- although both have had to be rebuilt. The Alte Oper was hit by Allied bombs in 1944 with only the facade and foyer remaining. It was gradually rebuilt beginning in 1971 and now is the scene of one opera a year. The rest of the productions are at the Städtische Bühnen, a modern complex which was hit by arson in 1987 and reopened in 1991.
Stock Exchange
To the north of the Rossmarkt in Frankfurt stands the Stock Exchange (built 1879, rebuilt 1957), the largest stock exchange in Germany, with an annual turnover of more than 40 billion DM.
Eschenheim Tower
A little way north of the Stock Exchange in Frankfurt is the Eschenheimer Turm (1400-28), the finest relic of the old town walls, which are now replaced by the ring of gardens enclosing the old town.
Goethe House
To the south of the Rossmarkt in Frankfurt, at Grosser Hirschgraben 23, is the Goethe House (completely rebuilt on the basis of old plans in 1946-51), in which the great German writer was born on August 28, 1749, and lived until 1765. The interior (now a museum) has been restored to its original condition.Adjoining is the Haus des Deutschen Buchhandels (Book Trade House), headquarters of the central organization of publishers and booksellers.
St Paul's Church
To the south of Frankfurt's Hauptwache, in Paulsplatz, stands the Paulskirche (built 1790-1833, restored 1948), a plain neo-classical building on a centralized plan in which the first German National Assembly met in 1848-49. The presentation of the Frankfurt Goethe Prize and the annual Peace Prize of the German Book Trade takes place here.
Römerberg
Römerberg is marked by the Justice Fountain which stands in the middle. The square underwent construction and changes in the 1980s.
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Cathedral
The Gothic Frankfurt Cathedral (R.C.), in red sandstone, was built in the 13th-15th centuries (restored after suffering heavy damage in 1944). Its 95 m/312ft high tower is a city landmark. From 1562 onwards the coronation of the Emperor took place under the crossing (Election Chapel on south side of choir). Beneath the tower is a magnificent "Crucifixion" by Hans Backoffen (1509). In the Marienkapelle can be seen the Maria-Schlaf-Altar (Dormition of the Virgin Altar, 1434). In the choir is the grave-slab of King Günter von Schwarzburg, who died in Frankfurt in 1349. In the south transept is a large organ (80 stops). There are also a number of carved side altars (15th-16th C.).
Zoo
The Frankfurt Zoo, southeast of the old Friedberger Tor has a fine collection of animals of many different species (Exotarium, with rooms for different climatic conditions; Crocodile Hall; Insectarium; Nocturnal Animals House; Bird Hall). There is an outstation for hoofed and steppe animals at Ginnheim in the Nidda valley, in the northwestern outskirts of the city.The Zoo also has a theater, a restaurant, a large visitor's center, a great hall and conference rooms.
Old Opera House
At the old Bockenheimer Tor can be found the Old Opera House (originally built 1880), which was reopened in 1981, after rebuilding, as a congress and concert hall. The exterior of the Opera House is in the style of the Italian High Renaissance. Its main hall seats 2,500 people.
Palm Garden
1.5km/1mi northwest of Frankfurt's Opera House on the Bockenheimer Landstrasse is the beautiful Palm Garden (native, subtropical and tropical flora).The gardens also offer recreational facilities (boat hire, children's playground, mini-golf, etc.).
German Library in Frankfurt am Main
On the south side of the Palmengarten in Frankfurt is the Deutsche Bibliothek (1957-59), which collects all German-language books published in Germany or abroad. Facing it, on the Bockenheimer Landstrasse, stands the Municipal and University Library (Stadt- und Universitätsbibliothek).
Grüneburgpark
Northeast of the Palmengarten in Frankfurt is the Grüneburgpark (29 hectares/72 acres), with the Botanic Garden.
Nidda Valley People's Park
Northwest of the Grüneburgpark in Frankfurt, on the outskirts of the city, lies the Volkspark Niddatal, remodeled in 1989 for the Federal Garden Show.
Telecommunications Tower
1km/.75mi north of the Palmengarten in Frankfurt rises the 331 m/1,086ft high Telecommunications Tower (1977), with a viewing platform and a restaurant.
Heinrich Hoffmann Museum
To the south of the Palmengarten in Frankfurt, at Schubertstrasse 20, is the Heinrich Hoffmann Museum, devoted to the author of "Struwwelpeter" (also material on the history of medicine).There is a Struwwelpeter Collection, with original drafts and rare editions of the book, at Hochstrasse 45-47, near the Old Opera House.
Senckenberg Natural History Museum
In the Senckenberg Gardens in Frankfurt is the extensive range of buildings occupied by the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University (founded 1914) and the Senckenberg Natural History Museum, one of the most modern museums of natural history in Europe (fossils, minerals, large mammals, development of man; research collection). The Senckenberg Society has an institute of marine research (established 1928) in Wilhelmshaven.
Trade Fair Grounds
Some 500 m/550yd south of the University in Frankfurt are the Trade Fair Grounds, with the Festhalle (built 1907-09; renovated 1986). With a total area of 40 hectares/100 acres, 10 exhibition halls and the Torhaus (1985), the Trade Fair Grounds offer facilities for numerous trade fairs and exhibitions, including the International Book Fair, the Frankfurt International Trade Fair, the International Motor Show, the Frankfurt Art Fair and the International Computer Fair. The Messeturm (by Helmut Jahn, 1990) is 256 m/840ft high.
Stadtwerke Frankfurt am Main
The first line of the Stadtwerke Frankfurt am Main was opened in 1968. It is made up of 7 lines with 56.2km of track. There are 82 stations. The system has a zonal fare structure.The metro system serves almost 100 million people yearly with a rolling stock of 226 articulated cars. During peak hours trains run every two minutes.
Museum of Modern Art
Works from Andy Warhol, Liechtenstein and Beuys are on display in the Museum for Modern Art in Frankfurt am Main. There are more than 4,500 artworks in the modern and contemporary art collection.
St Leonard Church
The Parish Church of St Leonard (R.C.), situated directly on the Main ambankment, was founded in 1219 as a chapel dedicated ts SS. Mary and George, built on a site presented to the town by the Emperor Frederick II.
Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum in Frankfurt am Main displays the history of the Jews in Frankfurt from the Middle Ages to present day.
Museum District
An agglomeration of exceptional museums can be found in the Museum District of Frankfurt.
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Ebbelwei
Sachsenhausen is the place to enjoy a Frankfurt specialty, the cider (ebbelwei) which is sold here, particularly in Grosse and Kleine Rittergasse, Rauschergasse, Textorgasse and Klappergasse. Visitors may take some time to get used to the sharp taste effect of ebbelwei. Favorite dishes to accompany it are Rippchen mit Kraut (pickled ribs of pork with sauerkraut) and Schwartenmagen mit Musik (onions with vinaigrette dressing).
Rhine-Main Airport
The Rhine-Main Airport, the largest airport in Germany, lies 10km/6mi southwest of Frankfurt's city center, at the intersection of the Cologne-Munich and Hamburg-Basle highways (the Frankfurter Kreuz). In terms of flights handled it is exceeded only by London Heathrow, and there are plans to increase the airport's capacity to 30 million passengers a year. The southern part of the airport is occupied by the U.S. Air Force's base, with a monument commemorating the Berlin airlift, the counterpart of the one in Berlin.The airport contains a chapel, several restaurants, and an extensive shopping area.
More Frankfurt Pictures
More Germany Resources
- Franfurt tours and day trips by Viator
- Frankfurt Travel Guide by iExplore
Map of Frankfurt Attractions
Map - Frankfurt
