Within the Main River Valley, just east of where the Main meets the Rhine, sits the prevailing city of Frankfurt. Presently and historically considered a nerve center for commerce, banking, and transportation, Frankfurt am Main of west central Germany possesses many aspects of the old world that function as a viable part of this contemporary city.
Visitors to Frankfurt am Main, not to be confused with Frankfurt (Oder) a small city in northeastern Germany, will find its location ideal. Situated on both sides of the Main River, this hilly region is totally surrounded by rich forest; settlement in the area goes back to 1st Century Roman times.
Significantly, Charles I held a royal court in Frankfurt in the 800's. During the Middle Ages, kings of the Holy Roman Empire were elected here, and, later on, emperors were crowned in Frankfurt. In the mid-1800's, Germany's new parliament first met here. Consequently, Frankfurt has been at the forefront of German and European change.
Currently, Frankfurt is at the heart of economic growth for the region. The European Central Bank, a number of major German banks, and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange together have made this city a major financial center of the European Union. Many international companies call Frankfurt their home away from home.
Frankfurt has traditionally been known as a marketplace for meeting and exchanging goods. More than fifty trade fairs and exhibitions are still held in Frankfurt yearly. Most notably, the Frankfurt Book Fair in mid-October and the International Automobile Exhibition in September.
Frankfurt offers travelers varying means of transportation in, out of, and around the city. The Autobahn converges at the city. The Frankfurt Airport is considered one of Europe's busiest. A train station is located at the airport as well, making intercity travel quite convenient. Within the city, public transportation includes buses, above ground trams and the S-Bahn and U-Bahn underground train lines. Additionally, bridges in Frankfurt connect the banks of the Main River. Most notably, the Eiserner Steg (Iron Bridge) has been open to walking traffic since 1869.
One of Frankfurt's cultural attractions, the Museumsufer (Museum Embankment) contains a varying array of museums, located along the Main, with themes ranging from history, to art and architecture. An end of the summer cultural festival, Museumsuferfest, attracts over three million visitors every year to this area.
Numerous historical attractions entice visitors. The Romerberg area of old downtown was a series of houses that were acquired in the 14th Century from a wealthy merchant. The main house is the site of the city's first town hall. The area was rebuilt to original specifications after the Second World War.
Saint Bartholomeus' Cathedral is a gothic structure built during the 14th and 15th Centuries. It's known as the main church of Frankfurt. In 1867, the cathedral was destroyed by fire, but was subsequently rebuilt.
Saint Paul's Church was established in 1789. Germany's first parliament met here in 1848. The interior of the church was partially destroyed during the war, but was built up again with modern fixtures.
Visitors can also experience the Frankfurt Opera, site-see at the Saalburg, an old Roman fort, and become enlightened by activity at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University. Named after the celebrated writer and poet born in Frankfurt in 1749.
Frankfurt's extensive history is preserved, but the city has been renewed in order to meet present-day needs. The ancient city's marketplaces where trade and commerce took place have been updated. Frankfurt now promotes economic stability for the entire region. The city's many skyscrapers reflect this while postulating the direction of Frankfurt's further growth.
Stan Smith writes for Four Corners Hotels http://www.fourcornershotels.com which offers information about hotels in cities around the world.
