We took a train from Cologne to Frankfurt early in the morning. The train journey was about 1 hour 20 minutes long. We checked our luggage into our hotel and took a self tour around the city starting with the popular Romerberg plaza in Frankfurt’s old town.
The Romerberg – This is an irregularly shaped, picturesque, and busy public square with the Justice Fountain (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen) at its center. This square also holds the Christmas markets and other events. This square was painstakingly restored after it was damaged during World War II. It is home to the Romer, which has been in use as the city hall since the 15th century. The three stepped gable facades of the Römer are what make the square so instantly recognizable.
The Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen (Fountain of Justice), standing in the center of the square, dates back to 1543. Its bronze statue depicts Justitia, the Roman goddess of justice, armed with her sword and scales. The monument has been renovated several times over the years.
Goethe House and Museum – Frankfurt was the birthplace of Germany’s greatest writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. His family home, Goethe Haus, where he was born on August 28, 1749, and lived until 1765, is well preserved and can be visited for $7e/person.
Alte Oper (Old Opera House) – Situated in the heart of Frankfurt’s Opera Square (Opernplatz), the Old Opera House was constructed in 1880, destroyed during World War II, rebuilt and reopened in 1981. You can visit the inside of the building by buying tickets to watch a show.
St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral (Frankfurt cathedral) – Free entry, but you have to pay 3-5e to climb up to the tower (300 steps).
This beautiful Roman Catholic church was built with between the 13th and 15th centuries. Its impressive 95-meter-tall tower, manages to stand out in this city of skyscrapers. One of only a handful of churches in Germany to be designated as an Imperial Cathedral, it was here in the Election Chapel from 1562 to 1792 that the coronation of Emperors took place.
The Hauptwache (meaning Main Guard) – Situated in the middle of the city, it is a busy pedestrian area with a mix of old and modern buildings. The building that stands out here is the old Baroque Guard House after which the square is named. Built in 1730, it once housed the city’s militia, a prison, and later, a police station, and now houses a café.
The other attractive building in the plaza is the St. Catherine’s Church (German: Katharinenkirche) which is the largest Protestant church in Frankfurt. The building was completed in 1681 in a Baroque style. After being heavily damaged in 1944 during World War II, the church was rebuilt in the 1950s in a simpler style.
The Museum district – On the banks of river Main, the museum district has more than 12 separate museums with the Stadel Museum being the most popular, with its excellent collection of paintings from the 14th century.
We walked across the Holbeinsteg bridge to the Museum district. There are some very nice views of the river and the surrounding area from the bridge. This footbridge built in 1990 is reserved solely for pedestrians and cyclists.
Stadel Museum – We paid 14e to visit this museum in 2016. Of its many collections, the most important include works by Old Masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Goya, and into the later centuries with Monet, Degas, Beckman, and Picasso. The more contemporary works include those by Bacon and Baselitz. The collection also features prints and drawings from Durer and Cezanne to Pollock and Ernst. A café and bookshop are also located on-site.
Frankfurt am Main (Frankfurt on the river Main) – The banks of river Main with green gardens and imposing bridges, is a beautiful place to take a stroll. you can also get a great view of the city form here.
The Eschenheim Tower (Eschenheimer Turm) – This 47m, 14th century, tower stands right in the center of downtown Frankfurt and is surrounded by modern high rises. This tower was once part of a massive fortification that consisted of nearly 50 towers and walls that encircled the city. Most of the fortification was demolished between 1806-1812, but, Eschenheimer Turm was allowed to remain as a monument. Today, the tower houses a great bar and restaurant on the ground floor. You can climb the tower to get a view of the surrounding area.
Other sites around Frankfurt …
Maintower, Frankfurt – This 200 meter Maintower which was completed in 1999 has 56 floors and a rooftop Observatory that is open to public. You can enjoy panoramic views of the Old town (Altstadt) from the 2 viewing platforms.
St Paul church (Paulskirche) – Free entry – This building used to be a Protestant church and was used as a National Assembly hall. This was another of the many buildings that was damaged in 1944 during World War II. It was the first structure that was rebuilt in Frankfurt after the war. Today, it is no longer used as a church but used for various displays and events.