Discover Frankfurt’s historic heart between St. Paul’s Church, Römerberg, and the Imperial Cathedral. This guided tour of Frankfurt combines well-known sights with stories about emperors, merchants, and notable Frankfurt figures. Through a series of short stops, you’ll experience how the history of democracy, international trade, and post-war reconstruction have shaped the Old Town. The tour offers a vivid introduction for first-time visitors and new perspectives for those familiar with Frankfurt.
The tour begins at St. Paul’s Church, where the first freely elected pan-German National Assembly convened in 1848. Here, the origins of parliamentary democracy and the importance of fundamental rights come to life. The reconstruction following the destruction of World War II is also part of this place’s history.
On the Römerberg, you’ll find the Römer City Hall, the Fountain of Justice, and the reconstructed half-timbered houses of the Ostzeile. The Römer has served as city hall since 1405; the square is a reminder of trade fairs and coronation ceremonies.
We continue through the New Old Town. Opened in 2018, the neighborhood comprises 35 buildings: 15 historic reconstructions and 20 new structures. Hühnermarkt, Hinter dem Lämmchen, and Goldene Waage tell the stories of townhouses, merchant families, and the reconstruction.
Along the way, you’ll come across Friedrich Stoltze and Johann Wolfgang Goethe. The Stoltze Fountain commemorates the dialect poet and democrat; the Esslinger House is linked to Goethe and his aunt Melber.
At the Imperial Cathedral of St. Bartholomew, you can learn more about Frankfurt as a city of imperial elections and coronations. The Golden Bull designated Frankfurt as the site of imperial elections in 1356. Between 1562 and 1792, ten emperors were crowned here.
On the Main River, the view from the Eiserner Steg of the river, the Museum Embankment, and the skyline complements the impressions gained from the Old Town’s narrow streets. Originally opened in 1869, this pedestrian bridge connects the Old Town with the Sachsenhausen district.
The tour clearly distinguishes between preserved architectural structures, post-war reconstruction, and modern reconstructions. Personal stories complement historical events, revealing Frankfurt as both a political stage and a traditional center of commerce. History comes to life through the buildings and squares, without requiring any extensive prior knowledge.
Main entrance to St. Paul’s Church on Paulsplatz (Google Maps)
On this guided city tour, you’ll explore Frankfurt’s Old Town along a well-defined route, with clear historical context and lively stories about the city.
