Frankfurt Overview
By Roz Andrews
A cosmopolitan city and an important financial center since the sixteenth century, Frankfurt stands at the heart of Germany on the banks of the River Main.
The city has hosted fairs since 1240. Today, important commercial fairs include the Motor Show in September and the International Book Fair in October. Such popular events draw many visitors and the hotels are often full.
Frankfurt was the birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), one of Germany’s most prolific classical writers. In the Goethe House and Museum, the desk at which he wrote his early works stands in a room re-created to look as it did in the seventeenth century.
Stroll along the south bank of the Main to discover an impressive array of museums dedicated to architecture, art, sculpture, porcelain, glassware, film memorabilia, and communications.
The oldest building in the city is a twelfth century chapel (Saalhofkapelle), accessed through the Historical Museum.
Frankfurt Zoo has a large collection of rare species living in their natural habitats. Nocturnal animals are on view on in the darkened Grzimek-Haus.
Take an excursion to Offenbach, the center of the Germany leather industry, about five miles from Frankfurt. Find out how leather is made and used at the German Leather Museum and explore an interesting collection of footwear from Ancient Egypt to the present day at the German Shoe Museum. Go!
