German city: Frankfurt am Main

The largest city of Hesse and the fifth largest in Germany, Frankfurt am Main (Frankfurt am Main) lies in almost the very center of the country, as part of a huge agglomeration, spread around the location of several rivers. Frequently called Frankfurt (there is another city in the country with the same name – Frankfurt-on-Oder in the world of Brandenburg), it is considered the largest economic, cultural and political center of the region, the largest transport hub, as well as the center of the Rhine – Mine region (Rhein- Main-GebieT) – the second population in the country (5.6 million people, more than half of them – are not ethnic Germans).

"Heart of Frankfurt" – Kaiserstrasse Street
Traditional christmas market
At Frankfurt Airport

As its appearance, the city is obliged to river – in this place between the slopes of Taunus, there was a comfortable crossing "Great river" Mine, mastered by the Romans – nearby army camps and the capital of the region Römer – Vadum Francorum (now this is Nida district – Nida, once Heddernheim). With the arrival of the German tribes, a comfortable trip quickly received new owners, and since these lands in the V-IX centuries were populated by Franks, from here and the name of the city – Frankonovurd, or Franconofurd, then FrankenFort and Franckfurth – "Crossing (or "ford") Frankov".

Altstadt in evening lighting
View of the city center and skyscrapers
Honsellbr&# 252; CKE

The first mention of Frankfurt as a large settlement refers to 794, when Karl the Great began to create an empire and convened Frankfurt Synod. In the next century, the city quickly becomes one of the main centers of the Holy Roman Empire – since 885, German kings and emperors are elected here (they are crowded, however, for a long six centuries in Aachen), since 1150, the famous Frankfurt Fair is held here (Frankfurter Messe, And from 1478 – an equally well-known book fair), in 1372, Frankfurt receives the status of the imperial city (Reichsstadt), that is, obeying only the central government, and remained such up to the collapse of the empire in 1805-1806. Then he becomes the capital of the Principality of Frankfurt, then part of the Rhine Conference, and then the German Confederation. After the revolution of 1848, Frankfurt becomes the birthplace of German parliamentarism, but again loses independence after the Austro-Penglish war, entering the province of Hesse Nassau. During the years, the Second World City has been severely bombarded, as a result of which almost all of its historical center Römer – by that time the largest in Germany – was destroyed. In the post-war period, only a part of the old buildings was restored, so the ancient appearance of the city was mostly lost. However, the intention to turn him into the future capital of Germany brought its fruits – Frankfurt quickly restored his positions and now it is one of the most interesting cities of the country, being also a very convenient starting point for visiting all regions of its center and the South. As a result, now the city is attended annually about 4.5 million guests, which a lot of hotels contributes to a lot (about 300!), and excellent transport accessibility.

Skyscrapers Frankfurt
City landscape in the Central Station area
The facade of one of the buildings in Altstadt

Tourist information

All the necessary information about the city will be provided by the tourist office of Frankfurt (WWW.Frankfurt-Tourismus.DE), the two main offices of which are located on the Römer Square (open from 9:30 to 17:30 on weekdays and from 10:00 to 13:00 on weekends) and at the Central Station (it works from 8:00 to 21:00 weekdays and from 9:00 to 18:00 on weekends). You can also get cards and all kinds of brochures, as well as organize a pedestrian, bus or cycling walk along the capital. Phone Head Office – (069) 2123-88-00.

Also in the office you can purchase a special map FRANKFURT CARD (WWW.Frankfurt-Tourismus.DE / CMS / Tourismussuite / En / Culture leisure recreation / Frankfurt card /), providing 50 percent discounts when visiting urban museums, a botanical garden and a zoo, free use of a city transport system without restrictions within the selected time within ZONE 50 (directly the city itself) and Zone 5090 (city and airport), as well as special discounts on city tours, when visiting the opera or input park, in many stores, restaurants, theaters and concert halls.

Airport Frankfurt. Terminal 2
Embankment Main in night lighting
Urban taxi Frankfurt

Subscription for one day costs from 9.9 euros for one person and 20 euros for a group, two-day – 14.5 and 29.5 euros, respectively. In addition to tourist offices at the Central Station and Römer Square, it can be bought in special kiosks (Hotels & Tours, Welcome Center, ServicePoint T1 and ServicePoint T2) at the airport, transport agencies and hotels.