All Around Germany in Two Weeks

About Frankfurt

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

Messe The city is known for the Messe Frankfurt, (Messe is German for Industrial Fair) which is the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organizer with its own exhibition grounds. In 1240 the Emperor Frederick II launched the first “Autumn Fair” and they’ve never looked back! The Main Tower Like most major cities in the world, Frankfurt too has its Tower and observation deck  (Aussichtsplattform) on Neue Mainzer Str. 52–58. This is one of the best places to get an amazing view of this fascinating city and capture that “Kodak Moment” (there is a fee to pay in order to get to the roof).   Goethe House  Johan Wolfgang von Goethe was born in this house on Grosser Hirschgraben. As we all know he was a famous writer, poet, scientist, statesman – he was a real polymath. It was here that he wrote the first draft of what was his most famous book “Faust”. During WWII, the original Goethe House was bombed but was eventually rebuilt. The Goethe House and the Deutsches Romantik-Museum which has a permanent exhibition about Goethe’s early years are next to each other. St Paul's Church (Paulskirche Church)  Once the main Evangelical Lutheran Church of Frankfurt, stands St Paul's Church which was built in 1833 on Paulsplatz 11. However today it is an exhibition hall or a national assembly hall. A plaque on the outer wall commemorates the visit of the American President J.F. Kennedy to the church in 1963. It was on this visit, at the height of the Cold War, that he gave a speech in Berlin with the famous phrase "I am a Berliner" (Ich bin ein Berliner). City Hall (Römer) in the Old Town of Frankfurt on Römerberg plaza you can visit Römer, as the city hall is called. The Rathaus (city hall) was “put together” in the early 1400’s by combining two medieval houses, named "Römer" and "Goldener Schwan", to become one town hall.  Together with the covered bridge called the Seufzerbrücke (the "Bridge of Sighs"- mimicking the “real” Bridge of Sighs in Venice) they are definite, impressive landmarks. In front of these buildings, in the middle of the square is the Fountain of Justice (The Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen) from the mid 1500’s.  Don’t miss the Ostzeile area with six half-timbered houses which were restored to their former selves after being heavily bombed during WWII. Secret:  You can take time out for a meal in a restaurant called the Haus Wertheym  which is housed in one such half-timber house that remained intact and unscathed. The Frankfurt Cathedral, Roman Catholic - Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew (German: Kaiserdom Sankt Bartholomäus): A narrow pedestrian street leads you from the Town Hall towards the Dom Cathedral.  All these the buildings were also restored, having been totally ruined during WWII. The interior of the cathedral is impressive and if you can climb the to the top from the observation deck you will have your “Kodak Moment” – a spectacular view of the Old Town The Opera House The Frankfurt Opera’s impressive building is easily accessible by public transport and is located near the city's green ring. The original building was built in the late 1800’s and had the honor of Mozart’s Don Giovanni “opening” Frankfurt’s first major opera/concert hall. Unfortunately, this building as well as many treasured older buildings was destroyed in WWII and it took almost 40 years to reconstruct an updated, contemporary concert hall. Shopping and food: Finally, we can relax on Zeil Street along the pedestrian mall near the Old City where there is a wide selection of department stores, shops, restaurants and cafes. We recommend that you take this opportunity to taste and enjoy the well-known Wurstchen Sausage and for dessert to order the Bethmannchen marzipan cookies. Museums If it is icons that are of interest to you, then a visit the Ikonenmuseum Museum of Icons is a must! The high-quality exhibition is presented here for the Aficionado who will appreciate the exciting and extensive collection of diverse items.  This is one of several special and unique museums on the bank opposite the Old City. Frankfurt's old bridge takes you across and the museums are a short walk away on the Sachsenhauser street parallel to the River Main Money Museum of the Deutsche Bundesbank  Geldmuseum der Deutschen Bundesbank: Everybody loves money and here is an opportunity to find out everything you ever wanted to know about this currency. Explore the world of money! In this fascinating museum, you will find the answers to any questions you have about money. It is entertaining and educational! Exhibits, media stations, interactive games, answers to questions like: How is cash produced? How does monetary policy work and what exactly does a central bank do? What role does money play in a globalised world? You will get answers to your questions as well participate in exciting hands-on exhibits and media stations. Suitable for all ages, the exhibition is both in German and English. “It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.” George LorimerSecret: There is no fee, free entrance Note: During WWII hundreds of bombs were dropped on Frankfurt and as a result most of the “original” Old Town was wiped out and had to be rebuilt. 

About Cologne

Nobody can remain indifferent to the spectacular Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). This renowned Gothic architectural marvel is also a symbol of the city and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. As well, in Northern Europe it is seen as an important pilgrimage, as well as being one of the oldest. Its setting on the Rhine River adds to its status: a gateway to a unique city, bursting with a diversity of historical buildings, museums, churches, archeological sites, dynamic shopping areas, restaurants and redundant to say bars and beer houses. And of course, the renowned “Eau de Cologne”. 

Nobody can remain indifferent to the spectacular Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). This renowned Gothic architectural marvel is also a symbol of the city and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. As well, in Northern Europe it is seen as an important pilgrimage, as well as being one of the oldest. Its setting on the Rhine River adds to its status: a gateway to a unique city, bursting with a diversity of historical buildings, museums, churches, archeological sites, dynamic shopping areas, restaurants and redundant to say bars and beer houses. And of course, the renowned “Eau de Cologne”. 

Cologne (German: Köln), one of the oldest of Germany’s cities, was originally a Roman colony and traces of Colonia is felt in every corner so that one feels that the city is still connected to its Roman past. Where the cathedral stands in the courtyard you can see traces of black stripes on the pavement, obviously the place where Roman buildings were at the time of their reign. The Romano-Germanic Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Museum) has on display unusual artifacts from the Roman period, archaeological finds, relics of regular life, and especially an impressive collection of glass and jewelry. The Western Cologne Ring (Kölner Ringe) is a semi-circle paved road which encircles the old city of Cologne (Innenstadt). It is semi-circular, some 4 km long and the remains of the towers and walls of the former mediaeval city can still be seen. It is without a doubt easy to see that a city that has been accepted as an important bishopric from the 9th century, the era of Charlemagne, should have an amazing, unique cathedral erected.  It took from the beginning of the 14th century to the final completion about twenty generations and thus, dozens of churches, monasteries, schools and a university were built in the area because the cathedral raised the status of the city and drew the heads of churches, the clergy, monks, preachers, men of culture and science, artists and believers to its hub. Another tourist attraction is the railway Hohenzollern Bridge over the river Rhine and two equestrian statues, one on each side welcomes everyone as they approach the bridge; one of Wilhelm II and Friedrich III and on the other side stands the statue of Friedrich Wilhelm IV and Wilhelm I. Here too you will find “tons of locks” in the tradition of couples who latch their lock on the railing of the bridge and throw the key into the river, symbolizing that their love is “locked together forever”. It is rumored that this tradition began over 100 years ago in Serbia.  So romantic! A more industrialized part of the city is on the side of the bridge, in front of the Old City. The promenade stretches towards the south and it is here that you can find your “Kodak Moment” and shoot away at different angles of the cathedral, the town hall and the Old City. Not far from the Cathedral, in front of the Ludwig Museum is a large-scale plaza called the Heinrich-Böll-Platz, which was inaugurated in 1986 and designed by Dani Karavan. The most outstanding component of the square design is found at the north-east corner of the area – an almost eleven-meter-high tower called Ma’alot (which in Hebrew refers to the Psalms 120-134, called “songs of steps”, sung in Jerusalem when the priests walk up the steps to the temple with water jugs in their hands). The “Oldest City Hall in Germany” is the one in Cologne (Kölner Rathaus). It was built in the Gothic style with an added loggia in the Renaissance style. The great tower is about sixty meters. Touring inside the impressive place you will see the collection of the city’s history and protocol from the 15thand 16thcenturies, realizing that not much has changed over the centuries. The Jewish Museum, MiQua, currently under construction since 2018, is being built above and below ground on the square where the city hall stands. This is the site of Cologne's historic Jewish quarter from the Middle Ages. The history of the Jews in Cologne dates back to 321 A.D., just about the same length of time as the history of Cologne. The museum will highlight Cologne's general history from 1424 onwards, with a spotlight on the history of the Jewish people in Cologne. A new quarter, named Rhienauhafen, was built on the southern banks of the old city. Inspired by the cranes near the port there are two buildings which seem to float above the river bank. This is a new young urban area that combines business and residences alongside with restaurants, cafes and galleries. The factory that produced The Eau de Cologne 4711 was on Glockengasse Street (and you guessed it) the address was 4711! The well-known brand has been in existence for about 300 years and the factory-store is on Hohe Street (Strasse), one of the busiest and most popular pedestrian malls, not only in Cologne but in Germany. There are plenty of beer houses in the city and of course the most popular with the townspeople is “Klosch”, the local beer popular throughout Europe, which is also used to cook and season the meat dishes so typical of the place.  Note: A Kölsch by any other name is not a Kölsch!  You could only call the beer by the Kölsch name if 1) the beer isproduced within 50 km of Cologne and2) the product, in this case the Kölsch beer, is listed in the geographical indications registersand has the European Union “GPI”  label. Note:Re: Johann M Farina, who was an Italian (rumor has it that he was a barber), and moved to Cologne, Germany in 1709. It was here that he invented a “scented water & alcohol mixture” and called it Eau de Cologne in honorof his adopted new home.

About Hamburg

The second largest city in Germany and the eighth largest city in the European Union. A former member of the medieval Hanseatic League, as a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire.Today, Hamburg is a major transport hub and is one of the most affluent cities in Europe. Hamburg has architecturally significant buildings in a wide range of styles and only a few skyscrapers. Churches are important landmarks, such as St Nicholas', which for a short time in the 19th century was the world's tallest building. There are many parks distributed over the whole city, which makes Hamburg a very verdant city. The biggest parks are the Stadtpark, the Ohlsdorf Cemetery and Planten un Blomen.

The second largest city in Germany and the eighth largest city in the European Union. A former member of the medieval Hanseatic League, as a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire.Today, Hamburg is a major transport hub and is one of the most affluent cities in Europe. Hamburg has architecturally significant buildings in a wide range of styles and only a few skyscrapers. Churches are important landmarks, such as St Nicholas', which for a short time in the 19th century was the world's tallest building. There are many parks distributed over the whole city, which makes Hamburg a very verdant city. The biggest parks are the Stadtpark, the Ohlsdorf Cemetery and Planten un Blomen.

About Berlin

Berlin, which is the capital city of Germany, became the capital city after the reunification of Germany by Bismarck in 1871. The city is surrounded by nature reserves on both banks of the Spree River. It is a city-state with a rich and complicated history that invites the tourist to many experiences ranging from visiting historical sites, museums and architecture, through culture and cuisine to shopping, shopping, shopping.

Berlin, which is the capital city of Germany, became the capital city after the reunification of Germany by Bismarck in 1871. The city is surrounded by nature reserves on both banks of the Spree River. It is a city-state with a rich and complicated history that invites the tourist to many experiences ranging from visiting historical sites, museums and architecture, through culture and cuisine to shopping, shopping, shopping.

It seems that Berlin was first mentioned in the 13th century. Although the origin of the name is not quite clear, Berlin seems pretty close to the word for “bärlein: which in German means “little bear”. That is how the bear became the mascot/symbol of the city. In the year 2001 the “lone bear” developed into the Berlin Buddy Bears, a fiberglass sculpture of bears and it seems that they have become unofficial ambassadors of Berlin. At the end of WWII Berlin was divided between two German states, so the government offices were moved from Berlin to Bonn, and that is how it was for the next forty years. The “Berlin Wall” was erected as a divider in 1961 and came down in 1989, where it stood is a magnet for tourists today as they walk along the street Friedrichstrasse. Check Point Charlie was the best-known crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War (1947–1991). Since then, the graffiti that was painted on the walls along with the Brandenburg Gate symbolize a reunified Germany and are witnesses to the past. The monument, 18th-century neoclassical Brandenburg Gate was erected by the Prussian King Frederick William II, copying the gate by the same name at the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens. You can see the tall, 26-meter statue from the wide boulevard called Unter den Linden,  from the City Palace right up to Platz Pariser where the Brandenburg Gate stands. The boulevard is so called because of the Linden trees that line the street.Note: During the time of Napoleon the famous statue that is atop of the gate, the Quadriga, which is a chariot drawn by four horses, was removed but when it was returned a decade later it became a symbol of victory for Germany.  On the northern side of the boulevard is The Museum Island. This is one of the most popular visited sites in Berlin, as well as one of the most significant  museum complexes in all of Europe. Situated on Spree Island it includes five museums: The Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode-Museum and the Pergamonmuseum. A sixth building has been added - The James Simon Gallery (James-Simon-Galerie) which is a visitor center and art gallery. Take note that there is an important ‘treasure’ on the island: The Berlin Cathedral, aka The Berliner Dom. It was built by Kaiser Wilhelm II in a Renaissance and Baroque style and besides being a magnificent building, it is probably one of the most important Protestant churches in Berlin. Note: Dom - Many people think this is the German word for “dome” but it means cathedral. We suggest that you join the locals and take a break and some leisure time in the Pleasant Garden (Lustgarten), a neoclassical luscious, green park that is in front of the Altes Museum and near the majestic Berliner Dom at the other end.  Secret: A main attraction in the garden is a huge seventy-ton, granite bowl. Around 50 people were seated in the bowl at a  special breakfast to inaugurate this bowl. The Berliners call it “The Berlin Soup Bowl”. Berlin's famous Tiergarten, Grosser is located in the heart of Berlin and close to the Brandenburg Gate. It is a magnificent park with spacious green areas – just as popular as Central Park in New York and Hyde Park in London. This park spreads out for about 500 acres with tree-lined paths leading to Berlin’s oldest zoo and the zoo-aquarium.Secret: In the summer months on Sunday evenings you just might be on time to hear the bells from the Carillo, which is the bell tower, 40 meters in height, situated next to the House of World Cultures (Haus der Kulturen der Welt - HKW). The HKW has presentations, concerts, films conferences and a variety of cultural activities and exhibitions throughout the year.  Everyone knows that Berlin is one of the best places for shopping!  They have great shopping centers and outlet centers with an endless range of products from latest fashion in clothing to the latest consumer goods. The culinary scene in the city is world-famous and varies from traditional German food such as potato pancakes, pea soup with sausages, potato stew to ethnic food that has been integrated into the local cuisine. There are many diverse eating establishments, food stalls and of course the finest of restaurants and cafes. There are plenty of beer houses and bars that serve beers and drinks of all types. However, the well-known “White Beer” (Weisse Beer) so called because it is  calls for at least 50% wheat to barley malt, which makes for a light colored top-fermenting beer. It is the most popular beer enjoyed by locals and tourists alike for its unique taste.

About Dresden

Dresden is a city in Saxony, Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. Dresden has a long history as the capital and royal residence for the Electors and Kings of Saxony, who for centuries furnished the city with cultural and artistic splendor. The city was known as the Jewel Box, because of its baroque and rococo city center. After world war II restoration work has helped to reconstruct parts of the historic inner city, including the Katholische Hofkirche, the Semper Oper and the Dresdner Frauenkirche.

Dresden is a city in Saxony, Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. Dresden has a long history as the capital and royal residence for the Electors and Kings of Saxony, who for centuries furnished the city with cultural and artistic splendor. The city was known as the Jewel Box, because of its baroque and rococo city center. After world war II restoration work has helped to reconstruct parts of the historic inner city, including the Katholische Hofkirche, the Semper Oper and the Dresdner Frauenkirche.

About Nuremberg

Nuremberg was, according to the first documentary mention of the city in 1050, the location of a roman Imperial castle and is often referred to as having been the 'unofficial capital' of the Holy Roman Empire. Because of the city's relevance to the Holy Roman Empire and its position in the centre of Germany, the Nazi Party chose the city to be the site of huge Nazi Party conventions – the Nuremberg rallies. Between 1945 and 1946, German officials involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity were brought before an international tribunal in the Nuremberg Trials. Sites in Nuremberg include: Nuremberg Castle an Heilig-Geist-Spital, the largest hospital of the Middle Ages.

Nuremberg was, according to the first documentary mention of the city in 1050, the location of a roman Imperial castle and is often referred to as having been the 'unofficial capital' of the Holy Roman Empire. Because of the city's relevance to the Holy Roman Empire and its position in the centre of Germany, the Nazi Party chose the city to be the site of huge Nazi Party conventions – the Nuremberg rallies. Between 1945 and 1946, German officials involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity were brought before an international tribunal in the Nuremberg Trials. Sites in Nuremberg include: Nuremberg Castle an Heilig-Geist-Spital, the largest hospital of the Middle Ages.

About Munich

Munich is the capital and largest city of the German state of Bavaria. It is located on the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps. Munich is home to many national and international authorities, major universities, major museums and theaters. Its numerous architectural attractions, international sports events, exhibitions, conferences and Oktoberfest attract considerable tourism. Since 2006, the city's motto has been "Munich loves you".

Munich is the capital and largest city of the German state of Bavaria. It is located on the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps. Munich is home to many national and international authorities, major universities, major museums and theaters. Its numerous architectural attractions, international sports events, exhibitions, conferences and Oktoberfest attract considerable tourism. Since 2006, the city's motto has been "Munich loves you".

About Freiburg Im Breisgau

Freiburg im Breisgau is a university city in the Black Forest in southwest Germany. The name from the 14th century, comes from the German meaning “Free Town”. The Old City is “air-conditioned” by the Freiburg Bächle (water-filled channels, streamlets) fed by the Dreisam River which  rapidly  flow down the streets, making the Freiburg Bächle one of the city's best known landmarks. 

Freiburg im Breisgau is a university city in the Black Forest in southwest Germany. The name from the 14th century, comes from the German meaning “Free Town”. The Old City is “air-conditioned” by the Freiburg Bächle (water-filled channels, streamlets) fed by the Dreisam River which  rapidly  flow down the streets, making the Freiburg Bächle one of the city's best known landmarks. 

The Cathedral: They began building the Freiburg im Breisgau Cathedral (called the Freiburg Minster) at the beginning of the 13th century (Romanesque style) and completed the Cathedral Gothic style around 1230 with a 116-meter Gothic tower, which is a landmark and is considered by many experts as one of the most memorable and exclusive spires on this planet! As was the custom then, stonemasons were asked to add sculptures and gargoyles on the cathedral’s roof. If it is a chuckle you’re looking for then look up, way up and you will see the “mooning gargoyle” of Freiburg Minster. According to the legend that has been passed on over the decades, a resentful stonemason who wanted revenge for not getting his salary, created this grotesque and placed him so that water would be spilling onto the streets from the opposite end of his body facing the city council building. Note: Gargoyles were created as a means of making sure water did not collect on rooftops and would spill off through the gargoyle’s mouth onto the streets. Ahh – the bells of the Freiburg Minster! There are 16-19 bells on the tower including the “oldest bell” which weighs more than 3 tons. If you are feeling “athletic”, you can get to the top of the church for a magnificent view of the Old Town by going up 330 stairs.  Secret: The ringing of the bells are on specific days and times: Thursday evening; Friday at 11:00 am; Saturday evenings; on November 27- to commemorate the air raid of Freiburg on that day in 1944. The Historical Merchants' Hall (Historisches Kaufhaus) went through a few changes over the centuries, but today’s building is as it was back in the mid 1500’s - eye-catching with its bright reddish-brown  façade on the exterior and the opulent halls in the Merchants building, which are only open for special events. The most popular and famous is the Kaisersaal (Emperors' Hall). On the face of the building there are four statues of kings from the Habsburg house, with spires on each side, also draw your attention to the building. The halls are not open at all times, only when there are special events and the most popular one is the Kaisersaal (Emperors' Hall). Secret: The original statues are stored away for protection from the elements and the ones displayed on the walls are replicas. Once there were five –now there are two! We’re referring to the City Gates: The two medieval gates that survived are called the Martinstor and the Schwabentor. The latter is also a unique museum holding the Zinnfigurenklause (Tin Figure Cabinet) with about ten thousand small figures cast from tin in a setting of about 21 dioramas that tell the history of Baden and the area. When progress “reared its head”, there was need for more advance public transportation and the Martinstor Gate was to be removed in order to make room for an electric tram. The mayor of the time, Lord Mayor Otto Winterer of Freiburg, insisted on keeping it intact and actually built on top of it, thus tripling its height and eventually made a large opening for the tram to pass through.   The Rathausplatz is a lovely and charming square. The administrative center is located here, with the Old Town Hall and the New Town Hall next to it and the governing bodies housed in both buildings. There is a bridge which you can cross to get from one to the other. However, the New Town Hall is actually older than the Old Town Hall. Originally, the New Town Hall was not used as a Town Hall, so when they eventually decided to use this building as such, it became ‘the New Town Hall’!   A large fountain with a statue of Berthold Schwarz stands in front of the Town Halls. Who is Berthold Schwarz?  The Germans claimed he is an alchemist who invented gunpowder. However, according to our research, he probably never even existed and gunpowder was probably invented in China! Nevertheless, the Germans wanted to be known as the inventors of gunpowder, so they came up with this creative idea, perhaps because Schwarzpulver is German for gunpowder. So there it is and nobody seems to care! Muenstermarkt (The Farmers Market) – in the Old City, selling mostly flowers, produce and crafts. True to this day, the market is open daily except for Sunday and only in the mornings. Go, enjoy and buy! Alter Friedhof (Old Cemetery): This old cemetery from the 17th century is one of the oldest German cemeteries, preserved as a whole in a park-like atmosphere. There are fascinating, artistic and interesting tombstones of people from all types of lifestyles. Schlossberg Hill that is a part of the Black Forest just east of the Old Town is a wonderful area for small hikes and walks culminating with marvelous views for that “Kodak moment”.Moreover, you cannot leave Freiburg without eating the skinny, reddish-brownish, 35 cm long red sausage (Lange Rote Sausage) lovingly called by the locals “the Münsterplatzwurst, Queen of the Wurst”. Secret: If you don’t want to give yourself away as a tourist, do not fold the sausage in half. The locals eat their sausage with both ends hanging out of the roll! One more thing - don’t count your calories! Make sure you find time to relax in one of the lovely cafes and enjoy the famous Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) which is made up of layers of chocolate, cherries (and a little cherry liqueur)  with real, dairy whipped cream, decorated with chocolate shavings and cherries. Wicked!  Recipe available upon request. We cannot leave Freiburg without at least mentioning Europa-Park, which is second only to Disneyland in Paris. It is the biggest theme park in Germany, about 230 acres, and is about 40 km south-west of Freiburg Im Breisgau. You can imagine the wild and innovative rides and attractions you can find here! Besides all the attractions of an amusement park there is a fairly new water park known as Rulantica, a movie theatre and shows - entertainment for adults and children. One can also make arrangements for on-site transportation and accommodations, from five-star hotels to campgrounds.

About Frankfurt

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

Messe The city is known for the Messe Frankfurt, (Messe is German for Industrial Fair) which is the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organizer with its own exhibition grounds. In 1240 the Emperor Frederick II launched the first “Autumn Fair” and they’ve never looked back! The Main Tower Like most major cities in the world, Frankfurt too has its Tower and observation deck  (Aussichtsplattform) on Neue Mainzer Str. 52–58. This is one of the best places to get an amazing view of this fascinating city and capture that “Kodak Moment” (there is a fee to pay in order to get to the roof).   Goethe House  Johan Wolfgang von Goethe was born in this house on Grosser Hirschgraben. As we all know he was a famous writer, poet, scientist, statesman – he was a real polymath. It was here that he wrote the first draft of what was his most famous book “Faust”. During WWII, the original Goethe House was bombed but was eventually rebuilt. The Goethe House and the Deutsches Romantik-Museum which has a permanent exhibition about Goethe’s early years are next to each other. St Paul's Church (Paulskirche Church)  Once the main Evangelical Lutheran Church of Frankfurt, stands St Paul's Church which was built in 1833 on Paulsplatz 11. However today it is an exhibition hall or a national assembly hall. A plaque on the outer wall commemorates the visit of the American President J.F. Kennedy to the church in 1963. It was on this visit, at the height of the Cold War, that he gave a speech in Berlin with the famous phrase "I am a Berliner" (Ich bin ein Berliner). City Hall (Römer) in the Old Town of Frankfurt on Römerberg plaza you can visit Römer, as the city hall is called. The Rathaus (city hall) was “put together” in the early 1400’s by combining two medieval houses, named "Römer" and "Goldener Schwan", to become one town hall.  Together with the covered bridge called the Seufzerbrücke (the "Bridge of Sighs"- mimicking the “real” Bridge of Sighs in Venice) they are definite, impressive landmarks. In front of these buildings, in the middle of the square is the Fountain of Justice (The Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen) from the mid 1500’s.  Don’t miss the Ostzeile area with six half-timbered houses which were restored to their former selves after being heavily bombed during WWII. Secret:  You can take time out for a meal in a restaurant called the Haus Wertheym  which is housed in one such half-timber house that remained intact and unscathed. The Frankfurt Cathedral, Roman Catholic - Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew (German: Kaiserdom Sankt Bartholomäus): A narrow pedestrian street leads you from the Town Hall towards the Dom Cathedral.  All these the buildings were also restored, having been totally ruined during WWII. The interior of the cathedral is impressive and if you can climb the to the top from the observation deck you will have your “Kodak Moment” – a spectacular view of the Old Town The Opera House The Frankfurt Opera’s impressive building is easily accessible by public transport and is located near the city's green ring. The original building was built in the late 1800’s and had the honor of Mozart’s Don Giovanni “opening” Frankfurt’s first major opera/concert hall. Unfortunately, this building as well as many treasured older buildings was destroyed in WWII and it took almost 40 years to reconstruct an updated, contemporary concert hall. Shopping and food: Finally, we can relax on Zeil Street along the pedestrian mall near the Old City where there is a wide selection of department stores, shops, restaurants and cafes. We recommend that you take this opportunity to taste and enjoy the well-known Wurstchen Sausage and for dessert to order the Bethmannchen marzipan cookies. Museums If it is icons that are of interest to you, then a visit the Ikonenmuseum Museum of Icons is a must! The high-quality exhibition is presented here for the Aficionado who will appreciate the exciting and extensive collection of diverse items.  This is one of several special and unique museums on the bank opposite the Old City. Frankfurt's old bridge takes you across and the museums are a short walk away on the Sachsenhauser street parallel to the River Main Money Museum of the Deutsche Bundesbank  Geldmuseum der Deutschen Bundesbank: Everybody loves money and here is an opportunity to find out everything you ever wanted to know about this currency. Explore the world of money! In this fascinating museum, you will find the answers to any questions you have about money. It is entertaining and educational! Exhibits, media stations, interactive games, answers to questions like: How is cash produced? How does monetary policy work and what exactly does a central bank do? What role does money play in a globalised world? You will get answers to your questions as well participate in exciting hands-on exhibits and media stations. Suitable for all ages, the exhibition is both in German and English. “It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.” George LorimerSecret: There is no fee, free entrance Note: During WWII hundreds of bombs were dropped on Frankfurt and as a result most of the “original” Old Town was wiped out and had to be rebuilt.