Historical Frankfurt - Sights
In addition to the modern of the present, the banks and the skyscrapers that shape the skyline, there are also many historical squares in Frankfurt. The most important and best known are presented here.
The Roman & Römerberg
The Römerberg has been Frankfurt's town hall square since the Middle Ages and got its name from the building of the town hall itself, which is called the "Römer". The Roman, i.e. the town hall, is one of the most important landmarks of the city and even today it is still the seat of city politics and the mayor.
How the complex of houses actually got its name "Römer" is unknown to this day, but it has a gabled stair façade, which was a typical architectural feature of Romanesque architecture in the 12th century. During the Second World War, only the ground floors and the stone facades of the houses were spared during the air raids, making the houses behind the facades modern offices from the 1950s.
The half-timbered houses around the Römerberg were also built almost true to the original. For example, Frankfurt's first bank was opened in the 17th century in the corner house "Großer Engel". So even then Frankfurt was a city of finance.
Convince yourself of the beauty of this historic place.
Distance from the hotel approx. 5,5 km
Old Nikolai Church
The Protestant Old Nikolai Church completes the ensemble of historic houses on Römerberg.
Especially when the glockenspiel with all 47 bells sounds, the visitors are attracted. During the Second World War the bells were brought to a camp in Hamburg for protection, but only 27 of the original 35 returned to Frankfurt. In the course of the last 50 years bells were poured again and again, so that today the 47 pieces can play the four different octaves of the glockenspiel.
The church itself dates back to 1200 and was probably used as a royal palatine chapel at that time and was not equipped with the Gothic roof gallery until about 200 years later.
Even today, different services take place here on different dates. Guided tours are offered for groups and must be requested early enough.
Distance from the hotel approx. 5,5 km
St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and observation deck
A church that wasn't really a church - at least the imperial cathedral was never recognized under ecclesiastical law. And yet the cathedral is one of the most important buildings in the history of the empire, as the German-Roman emperors were elected and crowned here.
The Imperial Cathedral, as you can see it today, is the third church on this site and its predecessors date back to the 7th century.
The construction phase of the cathedral took about 200 years and even then the church had to be completed with an emergency solution - a dome roof - due to lack of money. The tower as we see it today was actually only finished in the 19th century.
It was not until the end of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation that the elections and coronations of the emperors and kings ended here in the cathedral.
At the end of the 19th century the roof truss of the cathedral burned down completely and was only rebuilt within a few weeks. The people of the then free city of Frankfurt accused the occupying powers and the king's visit of being responsible, and only years after Frankfurt became part of the state could the rage be overcome.
The Imperial Cathedral is rich in social, political and historical stories of the past and is always worth a visit. The view alone, because you can climb the tower and enjoy a breathtaking view of Frankfurt and the skyline from the platform.
Opening hours:
Until October daily 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Please note that opening hours are subject to change.
Distance from the hotel approx. 6 km
Main Sentry
Probably everyone who has ever been to Frankfurt has heard of the Hauptwache - not least because of the subway station of the same name. But do you know what's behind it?
The Hauptwache in the middle of Frankfurt's city centre is a beautiful baroque building surrounded by many skyscrapers. The building as it stands today is a replica of the original Hauptwache from 1729 and 1730, which was used as the Hauptwache in the 18th century. There were a number of criminals, such as the robber captain Schinderhannes.
But from 1904 there was a café in the building. Also this building was completely destroyed during the Second World War and at first only very simply rebuilt, until the end of the 60's the subway station was built and it was also decided to give the house a new or old and original polish. Since then, guests and locals of Frankfurt have been romping around in the café and enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city.
Distance from the hotel approx. 6 km
Old Opera House
The building was opened in 1880 with Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni" in the style of the neo-Renaissance and nobility from all over Germany arrived for this celebration, for example Kaiser Wilhelm I. Unfortunately, during the Second World War the opera was completely destroyed by air raids. It was completely rebuilt after the war and today serves Frankfurt and its guests as a venue for concerts from classical music to jazz as well as a unique congress and conference room.
If you would like to know more about the opera, you can also register for group tours with a group of at least 12 people.
Distance from the hotel approx. 6 km
