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Frankfurt: The City of Abiding Contrasts

Frankfurt am Main (pronounced as ‘mine’), as they call it in German, the city of Frankfurt is situated in Central Germany alongside the rivers Main and Rhine. With its spirited metropolis on the one hand, while on the other the tranquil village, Frankfurt stands as the seamless mixture of antiquity and contemporaneousness. Frankfurt in itself has about seven million inhabitants. It stands at the center of the Frankfurt Rhine Main Area, which has a population of about five million. It is Germany’s second largest metropolitan area.

The enormous international airport in Frankfurt is the largest airport in the whole of Europe, thus making it as Germany’s main transport destination. It not just functions as the passageway to Germany but becomes the first point of arrival in Europe. It is also striking to note that one-fourth of the inhabitants of Frankfurt are actually foreign. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is the second largest financial center in Europe, with the largest being in Paris, France.

Although the city has been merely rendered as a business center, there is much more to Frankfurt than just that! The beauty of the city which is reflected in the waters of the Main River gets combined with its towering skyline, creating a mesmerizing blend of modernity and nature.

For the bookworm in you, did you know it was in Frankfurt that the famous author of ‘Faust’, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born? Frankfurt has a rich culture in arts and literature. Among all the European cities, Frankfurt devotes the maximum amount of money for the propagation and proliferation of arts. Frankfurt projects as a vibrant cultural center with multiple theaters, museums, and fine art galleries.

History

The naming of the city as Frankfurt-am-Main has an extensive and thought-provoking history. According to written records found in 794, the city was named as Frankonovurd or Vadum Francorum. Although during the Middle Ages, the city was named as Frankenfort. Later in the Modern Age, the city was called as Francfurth. According to many historians the city built in 146 CE by the king of Franks, Zuna, who in hopes to perpetuate his lineage, named the city deriving from Franconofurd of the Germanic tribe, Furt. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, the name of the city as it stands now had been established as the official spelling.

The ‘am Main’ attached with Frankfurt has been used since the fourteenth century. The precise translation of the name in English would be, ‘Frankfurt on the Main’. The naming is palpable as the city stands on the ford of Main River. The ford, the Main River, the Franks all link together to divulge the heritage of the city’s very name “the ford of the Franks on the Main” or Frankfurt am Main.

The Roman military set up their camp in 83 AD. For the Eastern Franconians and its parliament, Frankfurt became many times one of the most important royal territory ruled by the German Empire, governed by the Count Palatine of the Rhine. But in 1220, Frankfurt am Main became a free imperial city.  Then came the Golden Bull of 1356, a decree issued by the Imperial Diet at Nuremberg and Metz, which declared Frankfurt am Main as the permanent city by the choice of the Roman Kings.

From the beginning of 1562, Frankfurt witnessed the crowning of many Emperors. The last one to be crowned in the city was Habsburg Franz the Second. In 1815, Frankfurt am Main was declared as a free state and the base of the National Federal Government.

Other important movements till the outbreak of the second world war include the March Revolution of 1848, the Peace of Frankfurt in 1871, the construction of Stock Exchange in 1879, the Opera in 1880, the Frankfurt University in 1914 and the airport in 1926 to name a few.

Under the command of the National Socialist Regime or the Nazi Party, thousands of Jews were deported from the city of Frankfurt. The old and the central parts of the city writhed great amounts of destruction during the several air raids that befell in the Second World War. The landscape of Frankfurt was wholly destroyed and post-war American forces had set their headquarters within the city. Frankfurt am Main was then the administrative headquarter belonging to the trizone, which is now the Hessischer Rundfunk. But post-war the rebuilding process was initiated and the city of Frankfurt was developed into a business metropolis. The city also preserved many of its heritage, and now serve as attractive tourist destinations.

Geography

Frankfurt is geographically located on either side of River Main, which is located on the south-east side of the Taunus Mountains. The southern side of the city contains one of the largest city forests of the country, which goes by the name of Frankfurt City Forest. The city area encompasses 95.87 square miles and extends 14.54 miles from east to westward, while 14.48 miles from south to northwards. Alstadt district serves as the city center and is located north of the Main River. Bockenheim district serves as the geographical center of Frankfurt and is located near to the Frankfurt West Station.

Frankfurt has a population of seven million and has six important districts:

  1. Bornheim: Bornheim is a young and vibrant area which contain many bars and cafes. The central street of Bornheim is Berger Strasse.
  2. Sachsenhausen: This is a quaint and a much-frequented area. It contains many restaurants which serve local specialties of Germany in its cobbled streets. The main street here is Gr. Rittergasse.
  3. Bockenheim: This place is popular for Johann Wolfgang Goethe University and is filled with students. The place has many parks for recreational activities and the beautiful Palmengarten Floral Garden is situated here.
  4. Westend: This place is known for its cafes and quietness. On off days one can see a lot of cyclists and roller-bladers in the area.
  5. City Centre: This place is well known as a shopping destination with its commercial streets, Zeil and Hauptwache.
  6. Old Town: This site serves as the historical locations of Frankfurt’s vibrant history. The Paulskirche Church, the Römerplatz, and many others are situated here.

Climate

Frankfurt has a modest temperature throughout the year. It has a climate fitting to temperate-oceanic regions. The winters are a little cold, while the summers are warm. The average temperature annually is 51.1 degrees Fahrenheit while the average monthly temperature ranges from 34.9 degrees Fahrenheit to 68 degrees Fahrenheit in January and July respectively.

Religion

Frankfurt is a pluralistic city which has occupants from all religions. The following religions have establishments in the city of Frankfurt:

  1. Protestants: Tracing the history of Frankfurt, one can note that the city has been a Protestant-dominated area. Protestantism has over 19.4% of the total population in Frankfurt.
  2. Catholics: There has been a rise in the population of Catholics during the nineteenth century as many Catholics moved into the city of Frankfurt. 22.7% of the total city’s population belongs to the Roman Catholic community.
  3. Jews: The Jewish community of Frankfurt dates back to the medieval times. The Jewish population has been ranked among the largest in Germany. There are two synagogues operating within the city. An approximate of one percent of the total city’s population is Jewish.
  4. Muslims: From 1960’s there has been a large influx of Muslim due to immigration. The construction of Ahmadiyya Noor Mosque in 1959 makes it the third largest mosque in the country and the largest in Frankfurt. An estimate of 16% of the total city’s population in Frankfurt belongs to the Muslim community.

Tourist attractions:

  • Cathedral

Although the cathedral was never home to any bishop, it is one of the most captivating tourist destination in the city. Built in 852, the cathedral’s tower is ninety-five meters long and can be spotted from a considerable amount of distance. The crowning of many emperors from 1562 to 1792 took place at this very same spot.

You can climb up the tower between April and October. The museum adjacent to the cathedral contains historical treasures which include a gold-plated monstrance and a Gothic liturgical apparel dating back to the fourteenth century AD.

You can reach the cathedral by taking the tram line 11/12 Römer, U 4/5.

  • Archaeological Garden

After spending time at the Cathedral, move in the direction of Römerberg. This was the same path which the Emperor himself took after the coronation. This site holds historical traces of the Roman settlement in the city and a Carolingian regal palatinate.

You can reach this site by using the U 4/5, tram line 11/12.

  • Canvas House

To the southern side of cathedral and opposite to the tower, lies the famous Canvas House. Canvas House is Frankfurt’s oldest textile house. This site dates back to 1399. During the nineteenth century, this place served the purpose of trade in cloth and linen. Inside the place is the Caricatura Museum or the Museum of Comical Art.

  • Iron Bridge

The Eiserner Steg or the Iron Bridge is about a hundred years old. Look closely and you will notice etchings which specify the levels of water which once stood in the city of Frankfurt.

You can reach this bridge by taking the U 4/5, tram line 11/12 Römer.

  • Customs Tower

The Rententurm or the Customs Tower was built in 1456. This is the site where the paymaster who once used to collect the harbor fee sat. But today this place is the part of the Historical Museum of Frankfurt.

You can reach to the Customs tower by taking the tram line 11/12 Römer, U 4/5.

  • Wertheim House

Haus Wertheim or the Wertheim House is situated opposite to the Historisches Museum. The house is considered to be very lucky, as this timber framed building was one of the few places that survived from side to side the Second World War.

You can reach to this place by taking the tram line 11/12 Römer, U4/5.

  • Historisches Museum Frankfurt

This museum is the municipal museum of Frankfurt am Main. The museum welcomes its visitors with both permanent and temporary exhibitions along with hosting various kinds of activities and events. It also serves the purpose of exhibiting and exploring the city of Frankfurt and its magnificent history, for both children and adult correspondingly. From years 2008 to 2012, the museum’s old building has undergone considerable renovation and the rediscovery of Saalhofensemble makes the visit worth.

You can reach to this museum by taking U4/5, tram line 11/12 Römer.

  • Old Nikolai Church

Alte Nikolaikirche or the Old Nikolai Church is located at the southern side of the great square of Römerberg. This chapel served as the chapel of the Imperial Court from late thirteenth to the fourteenth century. The chimes at nine in the morning and at noontime are worth hearing.

You can reach this church by using the tram line 11/12 Römer, U 4/5.

  • Römerberg

A few steps away from the Church and you will reach to the middle of Römerberg. Look carefully around you, and one can notice the timber-framed buildings, which stand same as they were in the past. These houses and buildings were constructed in their original designs as if the Second World War never happened. They bear resonant names such the Great Angel, The Black Star or the Golden Griffin. It is worth noting that this part, similar to the old part of the city, were wholly wrecked during the war.

You can reach to this place by taking the U 4/5, tram line 11/12 Römer.

  • Fountain of Justice

At the middle of Römerberg is located the Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen or the Fountain of Justice. The inhabitants of Frankfurt would have a leisure time at this place whenever a new emperor was crowned here.

You can reach to this fountain by taking the U 4/5, tram line 11/12 Römer.

  • Römer

While the general populace enjoyed their time at the Fountain of Justice, the newly crowned emperors would have a feast here. Although today the entire city hall is referred as the Römer, the original one stands in the middle of the three houses. Since the fifteenth century, this place has served both as a city hall and as a town. On the first floor of the building is the Emperor’s Hall, where one can see the immortalized oil paintings of all the fifty-two emperors who ruled from 768 to 1806.

You can reach to this place by taking the U 4/5, tram line 11/12 Römer.

  • Stone House

Proceeding further in an alleyway adjacent to the Römerberg settlement, stands the Steinernes Haus or the Stone House. This was built in 1464 and was constructed using ‘steynen and muwren’ or stones and walls. This served the purpose of a trading house, but the Gothic design indicates to the royal residences and castles.

You can reach to this place by taking the U 4/5, tram line 11/12 Römer.

  • Paul’s Church

This church, situated at Paulsplatz, is completely built out of red sandstone. This was the seat of the first national assembly of Germany in 1848-49. This renders the site as the symbol of German democracy. Look towards the northern side of this church, there stands a monument in remembrance of the victims of the Socialist Regime.

You can reach to this church by taking the tram line 11/12 Römer, U 4/5.

  • Leonhard’s Church

Towards the end of Buchgasse, stands the Sankt Leonhardskirche or St. Leonhard’s Church. The church in itself has many sights to offer but the ‘Salvatorchorlein’ stand out.

You can reach to this church by taking the tram line 11/12 Römer, U 4/5.

  • Carmelite Monastery

Towards the left side of the St. Leonhard’s Church stand the Karmeliterkloster or the Carmelite Monastery. In the cloisters within the monastery, you can see the beautiful murals created by Jorg Ratgebs. Towards the southern side of the monastery lies the museum for the study of pre and early history of Germany. The northern part of the monastery offers the city archive, which is one of a kind due to its sheer size.

You can reach to this monastery by taking the U 1-5, Willy-Brandt-Platz, tram line 11/12 Römer.

  • Goethe House

After visiting the monastery take the footbridge and cross the car tunnel. Here, you will reach the Goethe House. This house is one of a kind as everything within the house stands at the exact same place as it did years ago when Goethe lived with his mother Frau Aja.

You can reach to this place by taking the S 1-6/8 Hauptwache, U1-5 Willy-Brandt-Platz.

  • Catherine’s Church

Head straight from Goethe’s House to the Kleinen Hirschgraben. Upon reaching this place you can already notice the towering Katharinekirche or the Church of St. Catherine. This church was built between 1678 and 1681. What makes this place more iconic is the fact that the great Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was confirmed and baptized here.

You can reach to this place by taking the U 1-3/6-7, S1-6/8 Hauptwache.

  • Hauptwache

A few meters away from the Church of St. Catherine, you can visit the Hauptwache. This place was built in 1729-1731. This place is not just at the center of the city but once also served as a very important police station. The revolutionary democrats in 1933 had once taken over this place.

You can reach to this place by taking the U 1-3/6-7, S1-6/8 Hauptwache.

  • Old Opera House

After the Hauptwache you can visit the Alte Oper or the Old Opera House. Make sure to see the Old Foyer within the opera house. This was the exact same location where the great Richard Lucae once tried to outshine the splendors of Parisian and Dresdenian Opera houses. The Old Opera House was constructed in 1873-1880.  But soon it was almost destroyed in the Second World War. The place was reconstructed in 1976 and was reopened in 1981. You must visit the coffee shop within the opera house as they teach you to drink coffee– German Style!

You can reach to this place by taking the U 6-7 Alte Oper.

  • Nebbien’s Garden House

After the Old Opera House, go past the pond in Bockheimer Anlage and you will soon reach a place covered in lush greenery. This is the Nebbiensches Gartenhauschen or Nebbien’s Garden House. This was built by Marcus Johann Nebbien, a Frankfurt publisher in 1810 to commemorate his third wedding.

You can reach to this place by arriving at the Bockenheimer Anlage.

  • Eschenheim Tower

Towards the end of the Bockenheimer Anlage lies the Eschenheimer Turm or the Eschenheimer Tower. In the olden times, this tower was one of the forty-two watchtowers in the city. This tower was built in 1428.

You can reach to this place by taking the U 1-3, Bus 36 Eschenheimer Tor.

  • Peter’s Cemetry

This burial ground was used by municipality between 1503 and 1828, which indicates that many well-known people must have been buried here. Here lies the grave of Frau Aja, Goethe’s mother.

You can reach to this place by taking the U 1-3, Bus 36 Eschenheimer Tor.

  • Staufer Wall

The entire city was once surrounded by walls, known as the Staufermauer or the Staufer Wall. From the 12th century onwards this wall served the purpose of fortification of Frankfurt am Main.

You can reach to this iconic place by taking the U 4-7, Bus 30 Konstablerwache.

  • Jewish Cemetry

A few meters away from the Staufer Wall is the Judischer Friedhof or the Jewish Cemetry. This cemetery was used between 1460’s and the last burial took place here at 1828. It has an inimitable reputation in the world. You are not allowed inside the burial ground but one can look through a small iron gate near the cemetery.

You can reach to this cemetery by taking the Linie 11 Battonstrabe, Bus 30/36 Borneplatz.