Dating back to the 19th century, Mathildenhöhe is a popular event venue is named after Mathilde Karoline Friederike von Wittelsbach, the wife of Ludwig III. Comprising of the Hochzeitsturm and other exhibition buildings, today, it hosts a slew of workshops, local events, cultural programs, exhibitions and special shows.
This place of worship is the oldest church in Frankfurt am Main. First erected in the 7th Century, a triple-nave basilica with a T-shaped ground plan and sandstone columns was added in the 9th Century. During the 15th Century, the building (then used as a parish church) slowly began to take the shape we know today, with its Gothic chancel, three chapels with fan vaults and a main portal. The column arcades from the original nave remain intact.
The Städel Museum holds a number of art exhibitions every week. You can find exquisite art exhibitions featuring old masters like Caravaggio, Michelangelo as well as contemporary regional artists. The permanent collection includes works by the likes of Renoir, Botticelli, Rembrandt, extending from the medieval age to the contemporary era. Admire the numerous sculptures, art installations and photography collections on display as you explore themes like nature, history, religion, violence and love. The museum also houses a bookshop, a café and a library. Various seminars, events and workshops are organized throughout the year. Guided tours are available.
The English Theatre Frankfurt was founded in 1979 and has moved around to few locations before settling in its present location. The charismatic theater is home to Broadway and West End shows, musicals and comedies. As there aren't many English language theaters in the region, the theater is popular with school classes who come to improve their English. Visitors can relax in the bistro before or after performances.
This tall brick tower was once a part of a large factory which produced Mouson soap. In 1988, the buildings were transformed into a cultural centre consisting of a main stage and auditorium, as well as two smaller stages and a rehearsal room for musicians. Mousonturm also features four art studios, a fully equipped sound studio, a theatre workshop and a restaurant. The program is equally varied, featuring national and international dance acts, cabarets, theatre ensembles, literary fests, art shows and music fests. Künstlerhaus Mousonturm is one of the few successful examples of transforming an industrial plant into an entertainment complex, Mousonturm is definitely worth a visit. Great shows are organized throughout the week and it won't disappoint you.
Schaumainkai, the quay on the southern bank of the Main between Friedensbrücke and Dreikönigskirche, is also known as Museumsufer (Museum Bank). Several important museums are clustered here, most of them housed in magnificent 19th-century mansions. The Liebighaus, Städel Art Institute, Communications Museum, National Museum of Architecture, National Film Museum, Museum of Popular Culture and the Museum of Applied Arts are all dotted around the wonderful gardens which were originally laid out in the 19th Century. In September, the quay hosts the three-day Museumsufer Festival, one of Frankfurt's most popular open-air attractions.
Magnificent skyscrapers and steel-and-glass buildings tower over the city, standing guard to one of Europe's largest financial centers. Nicknamed 'Mainhattan' for its businesslike personality and commercial spirit, Frankfurt Am Main appears different from the rest of the German cities. One of the world's largest stock exchanges calls this city home, as do a warren of national banks and financial institutions. Besides its modern architecture, it also features traditional architectural examples across the city. There is a host of 20th-century architecture that dots its streets, including timeless landmarks like the Goethe Haus, the post-war Bayer Haus and the Frauenfriedenskirche. Römerberg, Frankfurt's nostalgic plaza in Old Town, houses a beautiful set of half-timbered houses and 19th-century churches that contrast the city's modernity. Other landmarks like the famous Alte Oper remind about the city's cultural interests.
The spectacular facade of St.Paul's Church is a landmark and also a unique anomaly in Frankfurt. Paulskirche (St. Paul's Church) became famous not as a church, but as a meeting place. Built to replace the Barfüßerkirche, it was opened in 1833. The first freely-elected German parliament sat here in 1848. It met 99 times and passed 59 articles which are still part of the German constitution today. Destroyed in an air-raid in 1944, the church was rebuilt immediately after World War II as a memorial to the aftermath of war. The hall is now a venue for important events such as the annual German Peace Prize ceremony and the City of Frankfurt's Goethe Prize awards.
Associated with St. Paul's Church, Paulplatz is one of the largest squares in city and the largest in Altstadt. The square traces its history back to 1833 and is home to some of the most imposing structures in the historic neighborhood - like the Alte Börse and Lessing-Gymnasium. Although the iconic city square was destroued in 1944, it was restored to its former glory by 1949 and has ever since participated in many cultural events and community activities.
The reputation of Frankfurt's Old Town is legendary, and it has undergone a serious revamp over the years, drawing in crowds by the thousands. From the majestic Imperial Palace, the elegant Römer, the Gothic brilliance of St Bartholomew Cathedral to the enlightening Frankfurt City Museum, the options for exploration are endless. Visitors will also find the most charming restaurants and shopping streets here.
Tourist Information Römer at the Römerberg contains maps and brochures about the history of the city, as well as information about its main attractions, museums and the current events and fests. There is an accommodation service and visitors can arrange a variety of tours and day-trips. The staff will be happy to provide visitors with tips about the city. The center is open on selected holidays. Check website for more details.