R枚mer (City Hall), Frankfurt (must see)
The R枚mer ("Roman") is the Rathaus (City Hall) of Frankfurt and one of the main local historic landmarks. This medieval building has been in service for over 600 years and still houses offices of the local government.
In 1405, the R枚mer family of the wealthy Frankfurt merchants sold their house, along with the adjacent Goldener Schwan (Golden Swan) building, to the city council. Since then the property has continuously accommodated different civic offices until the present. Over the years, the complex has been expanded by the addition and purchase of nearby buildings, so today it represents a labyrinth of several structures connected by streets. A bridge, jokingly referred to as the 鈥淏ridge of Sighs鈥� (after its famous counterpart in Venice), connects the R枚mer to the offices across the street. Two towers were added to the complex in the early 20th century. One of them is dubbed Langer Franz (Tall Franz) in homage to the city's tall mayor, and the other, smaller one, Kleiner Cohen (Small Cohen), after a popular song of the time.
R枚merhalle and Schwanenhalle are the oldest rooms within the complex and are virtually unchanged after 600 years. They are found on the ground floor of the R枚mer and Goldener Schwan houses and can be entered directly from the main entrance in R枚merberg.
Still, the main attraction of the R枚mer, perhaps, is the Kaisersaal (Emperor Hall) where coronation banquets of German Kings and Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire took place. The hall contains 52 portraits by famous artists of all the German Kings and Emperors, starting from Freidrich Barbarossa in 1152 to Franz II who was forced to abdicate by Napoleon in 1806. There is also an ornate balcony from where the rulers used to greet the crowds down below. The annual Christmas fair held in the square outside the City Hall is a regular attraction in its own right, drawing thousands of visitors from all over the world.
Why You Should Visit:
Truly an eye-catcher, even more interesting in the run-up to Christmas than during the rest of the year.
German history and culture are perfectly preserved in this Gingerbread part of town.
Tip:
Make sure you walk to the river to catch the Frankfurt cityscape which is only a few hundred meters away!
In 1405, the R枚mer family of the wealthy Frankfurt merchants sold their house, along with the adjacent Goldener Schwan (Golden Swan) building, to the city council. Since then the property has continuously accommodated different civic offices until the present. Over the years, the complex has been expanded by the addition and purchase of nearby buildings, so today it represents a labyrinth of several structures connected by streets. A bridge, jokingly referred to as the 鈥淏ridge of Sighs鈥� (after its famous counterpart in Venice), connects the R枚mer to the offices across the street. Two towers were added to the complex in the early 20th century. One of them is dubbed Langer Franz (Tall Franz) in homage to the city's tall mayor, and the other, smaller one, Kleiner Cohen (Small Cohen), after a popular song of the time.
R枚merhalle and Schwanenhalle are the oldest rooms within the complex and are virtually unchanged after 600 years. They are found on the ground floor of the R枚mer and Goldener Schwan houses and can be entered directly from the main entrance in R枚merberg.
Still, the main attraction of the R枚mer, perhaps, is the Kaisersaal (Emperor Hall) where coronation banquets of German Kings and Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire took place. The hall contains 52 portraits by famous artists of all the German Kings and Emperors, starting from Freidrich Barbarossa in 1152 to Franz II who was forced to abdicate by Napoleon in 1806. There is also an ornate balcony from where the rulers used to greet the crowds down below. The annual Christmas fair held in the square outside the City Hall is a regular attraction in its own right, drawing thousands of visitors from all over the world.
Why You Should Visit:
Truly an eye-catcher, even more interesting in the run-up to Christmas than during the rest of the year.
German history and culture are perfectly preserved in this Gingerbread part of town.
Tip:
Make sure you walk to the river to catch the Frankfurt cityscape which is only a few hundred meters away!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Frankfurt. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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R枚mer (City Hall) on Map
Sight Name: R枚mer (City Hall)
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
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
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
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
"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
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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