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Frankfurt Germany

INTRODUCTION

Frankfurt am Main is the largest city in the German state of Hesse. The center for business and finance in Germany, Frankfurt is known for its futuristic skyline and boasts the country's largest airport.

The downtown area, especially Römer square and the museums at the River Main, draw millions of tourists every year. On the other hand, many off-the-beaten-track neighborhoods, such as Bockenheim, Bornheim, Nordend and Sachsenhausen, with their intact beautiful 19th century streets and parks, are mostly neglected by tourism.

Almost one in three people living in Frankfurt do not hold a German passport. No matter where visitors come from, they are likely to meet people in Frankfurt who speak their language and a restaurant that serves their favorite food.

HISTORY

Frankfurt was one of the most important cities of the Holy Roman Empire. From 855, German kings and emperors were elected in Frankfurt and crowned in Aachen.

In the Napoleonic Wars Frankfurt was occupied or bombarded several times by French troops. It nevertheless remained a free city until the total collapse of the Holy Roman Empire in 1805 and 1806. In 1806, it became part of the principality of Aschaffenburg under the Fürstprimas (Prince-Primate), Karl Theodor Anton Maria von Dalberg. This also meant that Frankfurt was incorporated into the confederation of the Rhine.

After Napoleon's defeat and abdication, Frankfurt entered the newly-founded German Confederation (until 1866) as a free city, becoming the seat of its Bundestag, the confederal parliament.

Frankfurt lost its independence after the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, when Prussia annexed several smaller states. The Prussian administration incorporated Frankfurt into its province of Hesse-Nassau. The formerly independent towns of Bornheim and Bockenheim were incorporated in 1890.

The city of Frankfurt was severely bombed in World War II (1939–1945). About 5,500 residents were killed during the raids, and the once famous medieval city centre, by that time the largest in Germany, was destroyed. Post-war reconstruction took place in a sometimes simple modern style, thus irrevocably changing the architectural face of Frankfurt. Only a few landmark buildings have been reconstructed historically, albeit in a simplified manner.

After the end of the war, Frankfurt became a part of the newly-founded state of Hesse, consisting of the old Hesse-(Darmstadt) and the Prussian Hesse provinces. The city was part of the American Zone of Occupation of Germany. Frankfurt was the original choice for the provisional capital of West Germany — they even went as far as constructing a new parliament building that has never been used for its intended purpose. Many prominent politicians opposed the choice of Frankfurt out of concern that Frankfurt, one of the largest German cities and a former centre of the old German-dominated Holy Roman Empire, would be accepted as a "permanent" capital of Germany, thereby weakening the West German population's support for reunification and the eventual return of the Government to Berlin.

Since the postwar period, Frankfurt has emerged once again as the financial and transportation center of Germany.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

If you intend to stay overnight, you may wish to avoid times when trade fairs are held, as this will make finding affordable accommodations a challenging task. The biggest are the Frankfurt Motor Show (Automobil-Ausstellung), which takes place every two years in mid-September and the Book Fair (Buchmesse), yearly in mid-October.

RESTAURANTS

Cafe Karin - This bustling little cafe, located in the Weissadlergasse, is a great spot for light bites, coffee and cakes.

Alte Oper - Enjoy a hearty Sunday brunch in the lavish surrounds of the old opera house.

Adolf Wagner - Adolf Wagner is one of the best places to sample some of Frankfurt's world-famous sausages. Order a Schweinshaxe, or pork knuckle (which is charged by weight) and a Bembel, a special jug, of apfelwein.

Tigerpalast - A trendy Michelin star restaurant, Tigerpalast offers live music, song and even acrobats. As well as an innovative range of dishes - with the likes of artichokes with an experimental foam or an unusual fried lobster cannelloni - and the wine list is comprehensive.

Die Leiter - 'The Ladder' is a fashionable eating-place for the young, stylish and beautiful people. Mediterranean flair and bold French cuisine blended with an edgy, contemporary décor make this a top trendy spot in the city.

Gickelschlag - Located at the top end of Bergerstrasse, the main restaurant and bar area of the Bornheim district to the east of the city centre, Gickelschlag offers an extensive choice of traditional Alsatian cooking, from the ubiquitous flammkuchen to rich and extremely tasty dishes such as coq au vin and zander fillet with sauerkraut.

LODGINGS

Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof - This luxurious hotel belongs to the elite 100 leading hotels of the world and is a popular meeting point for international and local society, business and leisure guests in the cosmopolitan Main-Metropole.

Villa Kennedy - This grand hotel combines tradition with innovation. Villa Kennedy is located on the Main riverside in Sachsenhausen, an area best known for its museums and numerous restaurants and bars. All the main attractions within the city are easily accessible either on foot or by public transport, including the financial district, which creates a striking skyline nearby.

Pension Bruns - Climbing up a creaky old wooden staircase to the Pension Bruns, one has the feeling of being transported back into the Victorian era. Once at the top of the stairs, however, you'll find the furniture is plain and functional, and the price unbeatable.

The Pure - This is a super Zen space where almost everything is white. The clientele tend to be young and trendy.

Hotel Bristol - As soon as you step through the door of the Bristol, you know that this place takes design very seriously indeed. Fashion shows are beamed onto the walls of the lobby, cow-print poufs take the place of chairs in the reception, and the sound of hip-hop floats through hidden speakers.

Hotel Paris - This budget hotel is within walking distance to all major attractions. Staff are friendly, rooms are cozy and rates are low.