World City Guide

Key Attractions

Rmerberg
In 1240, this low hill – the main square and heart of the Old Town – was the site of the city’s first official trade fair. The Rmerberg is bordered by the popular half-timbered houses (Fachwerkhuser), reconstructed after total destruction in 1945, and the former court chapel – the Nikolaikirche (Church of St Nicholas). The main attraction, however, is the red sandstone Rathaus Rmer – Frankfurt’s city hall since 1405 – with its Gothic stepped gables made of Frankfurt’s trademark red sandstone. The coronation of German emperors was celebrated by banquets in the Kaisersaal (Emperor’s Hall) on the upper floors. Portraits of 52 emperors, from Charlemagne to Franz II, now hang on the walls. It is a working town hall, however, and there are currently no tours. The Christmas market that takes place on Rmerberg every December is one of the best in Germany, famous for having the tallest Christmas tree.

Rmerberg, Rmer
Transport: U-Bahn Rmer.

Sankt Bartholomusdom (Cathedral of St Bartholomew)
Between 1562 and 1792, German emperors were crowned in the Cathedral of St Bartholomew, hence its other name – the Kaiserdom (Emperor Cathedral). In the 1950s, this was Frankfurt’s tallest building, at 96m (315ft), which just goes to show how much the city has developed over the second half of the twentieth century. The cathedral, which is currently under construction wraps for renovation and cleaning, has a red sandstone faade and interior and is one of Frankfurt’s most recognisable landmarks. The present structure was rebuilt after World War II but contains a number of original carvings. There are also great views of the city from the tower. A museum, the Dommuseum, is adjoined to the cathedral and is packed full of ancient archaeological findings.

Domplatz 1
Tel: (069) 1337 6186. Fax: (069) 2970 3249.
E-mail: dommuseum-ffm@t-online.de
Transport: U-Bahn Rmer; tram 11 to Domstrasse.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1300 and 1430-1800 (cathedral and tower); Tues-Fri 1000-1700, Sat and Sun 1100-1700 (museum).
Admission: Free (cathedral); 2 (museum).

Stdelsche Kunstinstitute und Stdtische Galerie (Stdel Art Institute and Municipal Gallery)
An exemplary and comprehensive collection of European painting from the 14th to the 20th centuries is housed in this museum – commonly known as just Stdel – on Frankfurt’s legendary Museumsufer (Museum Embankment). German masters, such as Cranach, Holbein and Beckmann, are displayed alongside the likes of Botticelli, Rembrandt and Rubens. Around 500 sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries are also on show, including works from artists such as Rodin, Kirchner and Picasso. There is also a caf, Holbein’s, and an excellent bookshop.

Schaumainkai 63, Museumsufer
Tel: (069) 605 0980. Fax: (069) 610 163.
E-mail: staedel@t-online.de
Website: www.staedelmuseum.de
Transport: U-Bahn Schweizer Platz; bus 46 to Stdel; tram 15 or 16 to Otto-Hahn-Platz.
Opening hours: Tues, Fri-Sun 1000-1700, Wed and Thurs 1000-2000.
Admission: 6 (concessions available); free Tues.

Museum fr Moderne Kunst (Museum of Modern Art)
Designed by Viennese architect Hans Hollein, the outside of the Museum of Modern Art alone would count as one of the city’s major attractions. It is therefore a bonus that this museum is filled with a superb collection of post-war art, predominantly by German and American artists, including Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Andy Warhol and Joseph Beuys. There is also a caf-restaurant, Triangolo.

Domstrasse 10
Tel: (069) 2123 0447. Fax: (069) 2123 7882.
E-mail: mmk@stadt-frankfurt.de
Website: www.mmk-frankfurt.de
Transport: U-Bahn Rmer; S-Bahn Konstablerwache; tram 11 or 12 to Domstrasse.
Opening hours: Tues, Thurs-Sun 1000-1700, Wed 1000-2000.
Admission: 5 (concessions available); free Wed.

Frankfurt Zoo
Frankfurt’s zoo is one of the most attractive in Europe and is very popular with both locals and visitors. Over 4500 animals from over 500 species can be observed on 14 hectares (35 acres) of land. The obvious highlight is the Grzimek Haus, where artificial darkness is created in order to observe nocturnal animals going about their business.

Alfred-Brehm-Platz 16
Tel: (069) 2123 3735. Fax: (069) 2123 7855.
Website: www.zoo-frankfurt.de
Transport: U-Bahn Zoo or tram 14.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1900 (summer); daily 0900-1700 (winter). Admission: 7; 5 last Sunday of every month.

Palmengarten (Palm Garden)
The Palm Garden is a wonderland of tropical plants and exotic birds. Hidden away from the bustle of the centre, the attractions of this botanical garden include glasshouses, some 300 different palms and a boating lake. There are occasional concerts staged here in summer.

Entrances at Palmengartenstrasse 1 and Siesmayerstrasse 63
Tel: (069) 2123 3939. Fax: (069) 2123 7856.
E-mail: info.palmengarten@stadt-frankfurt.de
Website: www.stadt-frankfurt.de/palmengarten
Transport: U-Bahn Bockenheimer Warte or bus 32 or 50 (Palmengartenstrasse entrance); U-Bahn Westend or bus 36 or 75 (Siesmayerstrasse entrance).
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1600 (Nov-Jan); daily 0900-1800 (Feb-Oct).
Admission: 3.50 (concessions available).

Goethe-Museum and Goethe-Haus
Completely destroyed by Allied bombers in 1944, the house where Goethe (1749-1832) was born and spent most of his youth was rebuilt after the war, in 1951, and restored to its former 18th-century glory. Visitors can see the family music room, library, living room and Goethe’s own puppet show and study. Next door, the Goethe-Museum displays German paintings and sculpture from the late Baroque period up to early Romanticism. There are daily guided tours of the house at 1030 and 1400. Tours of the museum can also be arranged on request.

Grosser Hirschgraben 23-25
Tel: (069) 138 800. Fax: (069) 1388 0222.
E-mail: info@goethehaus-frankfurt.de
Website: www.goethehaus-frankfurt.de
Transport: U-Bahn/S-Bahn Hauptwache.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat and Sun 1000-1600 (Apr-Sep); Mon-Fri 0900-1600, Sat and Sun 1000-1600 (Oct-Mar).
Admission: 5 (concessions available).