Frankfurt

What does the House of the Golden Scales have to do with the Historical Museum?

The city of Frankfurt had already acquired this important 17th century monument in 1899, and in 1913 handed it over to the Historical Museum. On its 50th anniversary in the year 1928, the museum set up an exhibition there, which was on view until 1942. The House of the Golden Scales, along with the majority of Frankfurt’s historic district, was destroyed on March 22, 1944, by allied bombing during the Second World War. The house disappeared from the city’s landscape – until its detailed reconstruction as part of the Dom-Römer Project.
The Historical Museum has furnished the two upper floors of the front building with furniture, paintings and everyday objects from the 17th and 18th century, as they could have been inhabited by the wealthy merchant family van Hamel, who built the house in 1618. Starting in December 2019, these period rooms can be viewed as part of guided tours. The highlight of any tour is the “Little Belvedere” roof gallery, with its view of the Frankfurt Cathedral and the surrounding rooftops.

Historical attractions

Römerberg

• Römerberg, Römerberg 27 (North of Eiserner Steg bridge and city center). Römerberg is the old centre of Frankfurt, with a number of historic buildings dating to the 14th and 15th century (many of which, unfortunately, were destroyed during World War II and rebuilt afterwards). The Römer itself is the town hall of Frankfurt. At the Römer, you can also visit the Alte Nikolaikirche (built in 1290, taking its current form in the 15th century). Several restaurants, cafés and smaller shops can be found at the square itself and in the vicinity. Walking towards the Main river, you approach the Eiserne Steg, a 19th century bridge leading to Sachsenhausen, as well as the Rententurm (Customs Tower), a 15th century fortified tower in late Gothic style, connected to the Saalhof, an old 12th century castle building that was later modernized but never completely destroyed.

Dom (Cathedral)

• Dom (Saint Bartholomeus’ Cathedral), (Located right next to the Römerplatz (U4/U5 Dom/Römer)). The main cathedral, built in Gothic style in the 14th century on the foundations of earlier churches. Beginning in 1356, 30 elections were held here for the Holy Roman Emperor. From 1562 to 1792, 10 emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were crowned in the cathedral. It is possible to ascend the spiral stairs of the 95 metre church tower.

• Eiserner Steg (Iron bridge). Frankfurt’s most well-known pedestrian bridge, built in 1869. It is just a minute away from the Römer, and provides great views of the skyline and the Main river. On the other side, you will reach Sachsenhausen, a district known for its museums and historic pubs.

• Hauptwache. A public area that is often considered the central hub of Frankfurt’s modern city centre area due to its importance as a public transportation station as well as its central location, right between the main shopping street (Zeil), the Rossmarkt (another public square), and the Eschenheimer Tor. The place is named after a Baroque building (“Hauptwache”) located more or less in its centre. The building was constructed in 1730 to house the local city militia, as Frankfurt was an independent city at the time. When Frankfurt became part of Prussia, the building gradually lost its original function. Since 1905, it has instead been serving as a café (“Café Hauptwache”). Other attractions include the Katharinenkirche (built in 1680), and the Palais Thurn-und-Taxis (an 18th century palace completely rebuilt 2004-2009).

Alte Oper Frankfurt

• Alte Oper (Old Opera), Opernplatz 1 (take U6 or U7 station Alte Oper, or any line to Hauptwache and walk a few minutes), ☎ Tickets: +49 (0)69 – 1340-400. Renaissance Opera Building in the center of the city, on a busy square with fountains and cafés. Originally opened in 1880, it is not used for operas any more since the rebuilding after the war, but for concerts, congresses, and similar “fancy” events. 

• Börse (Frankfurt Stock Exchange). The Frankfurt stock exchange building, which is still in use. See the bull and bear statues just outside. You cannot enter the building unless you have registered for a guided tour in advance. 

• Paulskirche (St. Paul’s Church), (Located just north of the Römer place). This was the seat of the first democratically elected parliament in Germany in 1848. Like most historic buildings in the city centre, it was gutted during World War II, but was also among the first buildings to be rebuilt after 1945 (with different interior). Today the building is used as a memorial site and an event centre, hosting e.g. the awarding of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade. 

• Sachsenhausen. By crossing one of the bridges from the city centre you reach the Sachsenhausen part of the city south of the Main river. The old town part, Alt-Sachsenhausen, at Affentorplatz is famous for its old cider bars (see the “Drink” section for more information). You can also walk along the river bank or visit the Schweizer Straße (see the “Buy” section).