Frankfurt, Germany Travel Guide – Viewing Altstadt (Old Town Frankfort)
There are Many Beautiful Churches to See in the Area of the Romerberg (Frankfurt’s Old Town Square.)
Sightseeing in Frankfurt often begins at Katharinenkirche, or the Church of St. Catherine, which is considered the center of Protestantism in the city. South of this landmark is Paulskirche (or the Church of St Paul) – the historic site where the first all-German Parliament met in 1848.
Landmark Sites in Romerberg Square
Romerberg Square, which is Frankfurt’s ancient center of town in the area of Altstadt (Old Town), is significant as it marks the location where the elections of the Holy Roman emperors were celebrated and proclaimed. The Fountain of Justitia, which sits in the middle of it all, reportedly sprouted wine at the coronation of the emperor Matthias in the seventeenth century. However, wine has not gushed forth from the font ever since due to the overwhelming response, or the crush of people that occurred as a result.
The Romer
The City Hall, or Frankfort’s Romer, seems to exhibit a mild-mannered façade when you compare the building with the other city halls in Germany. Conveying a gabled Gothic front, the building has been used for political purposes and ceremonial events as well as commerce.
The Kaisersaal
The Kaisersaal (or Emperor’s Hall) was last used to commemorate the election of the Emperor Francis II. Legend has it that the poet Goethe (who was also born in Frankfort) posed as a waiter in the complex’s main banquet hall during the coronation celebration of Emperor Joseph II in 1765.
Nikolaikirche
Chimes ring out daily over Romerberg Square from the glockenspiel carillon inside the Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas’s Church) on the south side. So, you’ll want to time your visit during the daytime hours when the music is regularly heard, or between morning and early evening. Most often, the resounding bells are heard around noon.
Leonhardskirche und Karmeliterkirche und Karmeliterkloster
Indeed, you’ll find many beautiful churches in Frankfurt. For example, the Leonhardskirche (St. Leonard’s Church) exhibits a lovely Bavarian altar (circa 1500) while Karmeliterkirche und Karmeliterkloster (Carmelite Church and Monastery) is home to a large religious fresco that depicts the birth and death of Christ.
Goethehaus and Goethe Museum
The Goethehaus and Goethe Museum are major attractions in Frankfurt too – both which sit on the site where the poet was born in 1749. Although the house was annihilated by Allied bombs during the Second World War, the building was carefully reconstructed and furnished with pieces from Goethe’s home. The adjacent Goethe Museum features memorabilia and artwork that define the life and times of this well-known German poet.
Enjoy the Local Cuisine
After seeing the aforementioned landmarks, you, no doubt, will want to take a timeout at one of Frankfurt’s charming pubs or restaurants. Or, take a short drive to one of the outlying villages where you can enjoy inexpensive yet tasty local dishes served in picturesque 19th century styled apple-cider taverns. In warmer times of the year, some of the eateries serve their German fare in shaded courtyards outside.
Accommodations:
The Karben Hotel in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is home to a number of Bed and Breakfast establishments, many of which display a kind of Hansel and Gretel charm. One of the affordable accommodations is the three-star Karben Hotel in Frankfurt, which is noted for its reasonable prices and friendly and helpful staff.
When to Go
This Frankfurt travel guide recommends that travelers go to Frankfurt any time during the year. That’s because Germany’s climate is generally temperate. Therefore, summers aren’t particularly oppressive nor are winters exceptionally cold.
Winter and Summer Temperatures
For instance, the average high and low temperatures for the coldest part for the year (January) are 35 degrees Fahrenheit/1 degree Celsius and 23 degrees Fahrenheit/-5 degrees Celsius. During the warmest time of the year (July), highs and lows run, on average, at around 74 degrees Fahrenheit/23 degrees Celsius and 55 degrees Fahrenheit/13 degrees Celsius.
