Historical buildings

Historical buildings

City of Frankfurt am Main City of Frankfurt am Main

Sightseeing

Historical Buildings

Frankfurt’s history can be experienced even today through a large number of historical buildings. In addition to the city’s world-famous landmarks (Römer, Old Opera, Imperial Cathedral and St. Paul’s Church), other important buildings will be introduced here. They represent the city’s long tradition of commerce, culture and religion. These structures make it possible to understand the lively cooperation of spiritual life, commerce and politics over more than a thousand years of the city’s history in a clear and fascinating way. 

The following links lead to articles that present prominent Frankfurt churches as well as public squares and buildings from industry and economics, politics and daily life.

Historical buildings Schriftzug Franconofurd

Archaeological Garden

The Archaeological Garden is located on the Cathedral Hill between the cathedral, Frankfurt’s Schirn Art Gallery and the Technical Town Hall.

Historical buildings Das Institut für Stadtgeschichte im Karmeliterkloster

Carmelite Monastery

The Carmelite Monastery (Karmeliterkloster) of 1246 is located on Karmelitengasse.

Historical buildings Liebfrauenkirche

Church of Our Lady

The 3-aisle Gothic hall church on Our Lady’s Square is located very centrally, and remains much the same is it was in the Middle Ages.

Historical buildings Das alte Börsengebäude

German Stock Exchange

The monumental structure of the Frankfurt Securities Exchange originates from the 19th century. The interior with its famous parquet floor was modernised in 2007.

Historical buildings Goethe Haus und Goethe Museum

Goethe House and Goethe Museum

In the Goethe House, friends and admirers feel themselves transported back into the world of the great poet and most famous son of the city of Frankfurt.

Historical buildings Schlossplatz in Höchst

Höchst Old Town

The Höchst district is best known for the former company Hoechst AG. But did you know that there is an Old Town here with a castle complex and a palace?

Historical buildings IG Farben Haus

I.G. Farben Building (Poelzig Building)

The building came into existence in 1931 as the head office of IG Farben. It was one the largest and most modern buildings in Europe.

Historical buildings Dom St. Barholomäus

Imperial Cathedral

Visible from far away and of exceptional historical significance: Saint Bartholomew’s Imperial Cathedral is a Frankfurt landmark and the coronation site of German emperors.

Historical buildings Museum Judengasse

Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter (Judengasse), established in 1462 in front of Frankfurt’s city wall, existed until the 19th century.

Historical buildings

Main Guardhouse

In the 18th century, the baroque Main Guardhouse building was the location of the most important police station in the free city of Frankfurt.

Historical buildings Maintower

Main Tower

For the people of Frankfurt and their guests, the Main Tower is a special attraction.

Historical buildings

May-Settlements

In the 1920s, the architect Ernst May created modern settlements on a grand scale.

Historical buildings

Museum embankment

On both sides of the Main bank, art lovers will find numerous renowned museums. The range of topics extends from architecture and film to painting.

Historical buildings

Old Nikolai Church

The Old Nikolai Church belongs to the famous group on Frankfurt’s Römerberg. The double-aisle Early Gothic church was mentioned as early as 1264, but it is clearly older.

Historical buildings

Old Opera House

Since the Old Opera House was re-opened, the concert house has acquired a fixed place in the music scene of the city and internationally.

Historical buildings

Old Sachsenhausen

In Sachsenhausen, by the bank of the Main river, pubs located in labyrinthine lanes invite visitors to try Frankfurt’s national drink, apple wine (Eppelwoi).

Historical buildings Innenansicht des Peter-Behrens-Baus im Industriepark Höchst

Peter Behrens Building (Administrative Building for the former Hoechst AG)

The gigantic office building by the architect Peter Behrens was inaugurated in 1924. The building became famous around the world as Hoechst AG’s company logo.

Historical buildings Roemer City Hall, Photo: Stefan Maurer

Römer

The Römer, a Frankfurt landmark, is among the most beautiful and oldest town halls. Its silhouette, with three gables and the famous balcony, is known throughout the world.

Historical buildings Die Ostzeile am Römerberg mit Justitia

Römerberg

This is where people from Frankfurt and all over the world come together: For more than 1,000 years, the Römerberg has been the centre of the city.

Historical buildings Fassaden in der Saalgasse

Saal Lane

The numerous postmodern façades behind the Schirn bridge the gap between contemporary architecture and the medieval buildings on the Römerberg.

Historical buildings

St. Catherine’s Church

The baroque St. Catherine’s Church (St. Katharinenkirche) is located in the middle of the city centre, near the Main Guardhouse.

Historical buildings

St. Justin’s Church

St. Justin’s Church (Justinuskirche) is located in Höchst and is the oldest building in Frankfurt.

Historical buildings

St. Leonhard’s Church

St. Leonhard’s Church (St. Leonhardskirche) is one of Frankfurt’s most valuable structures.

Historical buildings St. Paul's Church, Photo: Stefan Maurer

St. Paul’s Church

Like no other place, St. Paul’s Church symbolises democracy and national unity in Germany. The exhibition presents the church’s history since 1848.