GERMANY

For many, Frankfurt is primarily "Mainhattan", city of finance and skyscrapers, but a closer look reveals a metropolis of many charms: The picturesque houses of the beautifully restored Römerberg in the city centre and the unique "Museum Mile" along the banks of the Main river. Traditional cider pubs in Sachsenhausen, shops galore in the elegant Goethestrasse and the "Fressgass" - and a truly world-class cultural and arts scene.

Sights

Alte Oper ("Old Opera House"): Concert hall and conference centre, top cultural venue

Commerzbank building: Built in 1997 by star architect Sir Norman Foster. The nine integrated gardens on the upper floors are particularly unusual.

Goethe House: Birthplace of Germany's greatest poet

Hauptwache: Baroque guardhouse and prison of the former City Guard

Historischer Garten: Historical garden and Roman excavations from the 1C AD

Judengasse/Börneplatz: The excavations in "Jews Alley” have revealed the typical buildings of the former ghetto, including a mikvah ritual bath

Kaiserdom: Imperial cathedral where ten German emperors and kings were crowned

Kaisersaal: Banqueting hall of the German emperors and kings in the Römer complex

Paulskirche ("St Paul's"): In 1848 the site of Germany's first democratically-elected parliament

Römer: The city's Town Hall since the 15C

Römerberg: Frankfurt's historical city centre

Saalgasse: In 1986 a group of leading architects refurbished a medieval block of houses in the 80s style, creating an outstanding and acclaimed example of post-modernist architec-ture

Sachsenhausen: District on the south side of the Main, famous for its traditional cider pubs

Tips for Art-Lovers

The Museum Embankment, a unique collection of 13 museums along both sides of the Main river, has rightfully earned Frankfurt a worldwide reputation as a major centre of the arts. In all, the city has over 40 museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Kunsthalle Schirn (art), the Städelsches Kunstinstitut (art) and the German Cinema Museum.

08 Jun – 02 Sep 2001 - Vincent van Gogh and the Petit Boulevard Painters, exhibition at the Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Shopping

Frankfurt offers a huge variety of excellent shops. Try the legendary Zeil street in the city centre and the attractive local shopping centres in the city districts.

Cusine

Frankfurt is home to over 3,000 restaurants. Chefs from more than 70 different countries offer a variety of culinary delights from their home countries. The traditional Frankfurt favourite "Brisket of Beef with Green Sauce" thus finds itself in friendly competition with specialty dishes from all around the globe.

For those who like to experience typical Frankfurt style we suggest Sachsenhausen´s renowned apple wine district. Frankfurt apple wine, the beverage of choice for most locals, tastes best when accompanied by a traditional Frankfurt dish, such as frankfurters and mustard, pork ribs and sauerkraut, or just a plain pretzel.