Carmelite Monastery (Karmeliterkloster), Frankfurt
Formerly the convent of the Carmelite order, from 1246 to 1803, the Karmeliterkloster today houses the Institute for the History of Frankfurt and the Archaeological Museum.
After the Carmelites established themselves in Frankfurt in the mid-13th century, the monastery quickly gained footing and soon proved to be one of the largest building complexes in the Old Town. In 1424, its original single-vessel church was remodeled to the late Gothic style, with a chapel and two-aisle refectory hall added. The latter was richly adorned with frescoes, the largest in Northern Europe, including the painted history of the Carmelite order and the depiction of Christ鈥檚 birth and death by Jorg Ratgeb (the 16th-century artist who was later cruelly executed for partaking in the German peasant revolution of 1525).
Following the secularization of Frankfurt in 1803, the city claimed all the monastery's possessions, including 25 hectares of vineyards in Hochheim am Main. Over the years, the convent's main building served as a warehouse, garrison, fire department, and theater. It was almost destroyed during World War II and its frescoes were severely damaged. The building was finally refurbished in 1987-1989.
Since 1959, the Carmelite Monastery has housed the Institute for the History of Frankfurt (formerly the municipal archives) and the Archaeological Museum (once known as the Museum of Prehistory and Early History). Also on the premises, in the basement, is a cabaret theater called Die Schmiere (The Grease), staging satirical plays and much loved by the local theater-goers.
After the Carmelites established themselves in Frankfurt in the mid-13th century, the monastery quickly gained footing and soon proved to be one of the largest building complexes in the Old Town. In 1424, its original single-vessel church was remodeled to the late Gothic style, with a chapel and two-aisle refectory hall added. The latter was richly adorned with frescoes, the largest in Northern Europe, including the painted history of the Carmelite order and the depiction of Christ鈥檚 birth and death by Jorg Ratgeb (the 16th-century artist who was later cruelly executed for partaking in the German peasant revolution of 1525).
Following the secularization of Frankfurt in 1803, the city claimed all the monastery's possessions, including 25 hectares of vineyards in Hochheim am Main. Over the years, the convent's main building served as a warehouse, garrison, fire department, and theater. It was almost destroyed during World War II and its frescoes were severely damaged. The building was finally refurbished in 1987-1989.
Since 1959, the Carmelite Monastery has housed the Institute for the History of Frankfurt (formerly the municipal archives) and the Archaeological Museum (once known as the Museum of Prehistory and Early History). Also on the premises, in the basement, is a cabaret theater called Die Schmiere (The Grease), staging satirical plays and much loved by the local theater-goers.
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Carmelite Monastery (Karmeliterkloster) on Map
Sight Name: Carmelite Monastery (Karmeliterkloster)
Sight Location: Frankfurt, Germany (See walking tours in Frankfurt)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Frankfurt, Germany (See walking tours in Frankfurt)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Frankfurt, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Frankfurt
Creating your own self-guided walk in Frankfurt is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches Walking Tour
Today Frankfurt is a predominantly secular city, but it still has a significant Christian presence.
The history of Christianity in Frankfurt dates back to the Middle Ages when, as a free city-state, it became an essential segment of the Holy Roman Empire. As the city grew, so did its Christian community. Several important churches appeared during that period, including the Old Nicholas Church... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
The history of Christianity in Frankfurt dates back to the Middle Ages when, as a free city-state, it became an essential segment of the Holy Roman Empire. As the city grew, so did its Christian community. Several important churches appeared during that period, including the Old Nicholas Church... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
The German city of Frankfurt, also known as Frankfurt am Main, has a long and complex history, spanning more than a thousand years. The Romans established a military camp called "Nida" in the area that is now Frankfurt, on the northern bank of the River Main, in the 1st century AD.
The town itself was founded by the Franks, a Germanic tribe, in the 9th century. Its name comes from... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Shopping Streets
Frankfurt may well be an international business center in the first place, but not everything, by far, revolves here around finance. The city can also provide a top shopping experience for those seeking to invest in international and best German designer merchandise.
"Frankfurt is a shopping paradise - if you're a bird!" they say. This is a humorous way of saying that Frankfurt... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Jewish History Walking Tour
The history of Jews in Frankfurt dates back almost 900 years, which is more than in any other German city. Attesting to this fact alone is one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Europe, the Old Jewish Cemetery of Frankfurt, first recorded in the 12th century.
At some point, the city was even referred to as "Jerusalem of the West", highlighting its importance as a center of Jewish life... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
At some point, the city was even referred to as "Jerusalem of the West", highlighting its importance as a center of Jewish life... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
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