I knew very little about Frankfurt’s history when I first got here and thanks to the shiny city towers, its easy to forget that despite all of the development since the city was destroyed in the war, Frankfurt was an historically significant part of the German and Roman empires. I only started to understnad this once the kids started to bring homework back from school and asked me questions! So in case you find yourself wanting, or needing, to find out more, here is how to go about it!

For more information, there is a terribly designed website from the Stadt called Das Kulturportal with a section full of everything you need to know about history in the city. The website itself is an historical artefact from the 1990s…

History Museum

If you search google, the Frankfurt Historical Museum is the first thing that comes up, so you didn’t really need me to tell you about it! Its a good start for history of the city and region, although a little dusty at times. But its worth going even if just to have a look at the architecture of the 5 builds that make up the museum, including the Staufer royal castle (ca. 1200) , the oldest upright building in Frankfurt. My personal favourite exhibit is the replicas of the crown, orb and sceptre belonging to the German Kings and Roman Emperors. The replicas themselves are valuable articfacts, acquired in 1913 by the museum. There is also a good section for children to keep the whole family involved.

Institute of Frankfurt City History

My apologies for calling the historical museum dusty – the award should actually go to the Institut für Stadtgeschichte nestled inside the beautiful Carmelite Monastery. The institute houses the historical archives and although access is free, if you don’t speak excellent German, neither the archives nor the events will be accessible. However the venue is really worth having a look around. It was founded in 1240 but took its current form in the 15th century, when it was further developed, extended and decorated to show the importance of the location to the Holy Roman Empire, thanks to the donations of 4 imperial princes who were in Frankfurt for the 1519 imperial election.

Walking Tours

A great way to explore any city is to get out and explore on foot with a local guide. It doesn’t matter if you are a longterm resident or a new arrival, a good guide will be able to show you all sorts of gems hidden in plain sight. And we are blessed in Frankfurt to have several great options for walking tour guides:

• Frankfurt on Foot – the original walking tours in the city, everyday of the year at 10am, and running for longer than I have been here! The tours are organised by American husband and wife team, David and Jo Ator, and they get really good feedback. Definitely the tour of choice if you want a deep dive into history. I may even have been schooled on my facts by Jo once or twice! They also have a great Frankfurt blog on the go as well.
• Frankfurt Tourist Office also offers guided tours around the city, although limited options in English. Currently they have one city centre tour and a Christmas market tour listed in English, but if you go to the info desk in the Römer, you may be able to book something tailored.
• Alternative Walking Tour – a newer group offering tours of the centre, Sachsenhausen and the Bahnhofsviertel in English, German and Spanish. The public tours are free, but donations are requested, and prices for groups of more than 7 are quite reasonable.

Timeride Historic VR City Tour

TimeRide is the perfect entry level idea for Frankfurt’s history. It will take you about an hour gives you a 360 degree panoramic view of 19th century Frankfurt from the back of a horse drawn carriage. The tour is available in English and is great in bad weather. If you are new to Frankfurt, then I really recommend first walking from the main station along Kaiserstraße to Willy-Brand-Platz, and then along the river to the Römer and up to TimeRide. Have a good look around, because this is the route experience will follow and it will be far more interesting if you know what you are looking at!

Jewish Museums

Frankfurt has a long and complicated Jewish history, including the first Jewish ghetto in Germany from 1462. I won’t go into it in detail since wikipedia does a great job but it is worth going in person to both the Jewish Museum near Willy-Brand-Platz which focuses on the 19th Century onwards, and the Museum of the Jewish Quarter near Konstablerwache which focuses on the archaeological remains of 5 houses from the Jewish Ghetto.

Frankfurt History App

If you’re like me and don’t like following someone else’s agenda, then this is perfect for you. Even if you decide to do one of the above, then the Frankfurt History App is the ideal companion. Even if you don’t speak German, The app works well in English with 100s of places of interest listed on the map. Navigation is a little unusual, but once you get used to it, it works well and there are many English language audio tours. And if you are learning German then this is a great way to actively practice! The app is managed by the history museum and currently the content focuses on the 1848/49 revolution and Frankfurt and National Socialism. But the list of content is growing!