A Tasty Suggestion
Stella is one of Frankfurt’s new cosmopolitan restaurants. Based in the centre of the city, just north of the main river the restaurant serves up an array of authentic Italian cuisine. You can relax in the comfortable surroundings and admire the artistic works which cover the walls and make you feel, if anything, that you are in an art gallery rather than a restaurant.
The restaurant, which also has a trendy city bar and bistro on the basement floor, has a wide variety of wines and cocktails to choose from. Also being owners of the wine traders next door, the selection of drinks will keep diners interested all night, as will the
designer cutlery.
The green gnocchi with a gorgonzola sauce is on the bistro menu and costs €12. This Italian restaurant has a lot to offer and with its location is one of the best restaurants in the city. Call +49 69 9050 1271 or visit
www.stella-ffm.de/deutsch_home.htm
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JULY-AUGUST: Summer in the City is held at the Palmengarten Park and brings art into the city. It holds concerts and historical performances that entertain crowds throughout the festival. Visit www.mousonturm.de to find out more.
… and here are some more great things to see and do in and around Frankfurt…
SEPTEMBER 2008: Frankfurtfs EURO Cup is the cityfs answer to the Grand National and is a fantastic day of horse racing. The Merrill Lynch EURO Cup is attended by thousands so donft miss out. Go to www.renn-klub-frankfurt.de/ to find out more.
OCTOBER 2008: The Frankfurt Jazz Festival is one of the longest running and most popular of its kind in the whole of Europe. Held at the Hessischer Broadcast Studio it is a live event involving some of the biggest names in the industry. For more information go to www.hr-online.de/website/rubriken/
kultur/index.jsp?rubrik=2178
DECEMBER 2008: Festhalle International Riding Tournament has over ?350,000 in prize money and is one of the biggest indoor riding tournaments in Europe. Events including dressage, carriage driving and
jumping events attract hundreds of fans every year. To find out more go to www.festhalle.de/
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Frankfurt's new urban landscape
Despite having the most impressive high-rise skyline in Europe, Frankfurt is busy building more altitudinous structures. Frankfurt Hoch Vier is described as a new ‘urban landscape’, comprising four buildings, an ultra-chic shopping complex, an exclusive skyscraper office tower, a luxury hotel and a state-of-the-art meeting point and leisure centre.
Building work starts next year and on completion it will give Frankfurt one of the most innovative mini-cities in Europe. It’s to be located beside the city’s stock exchange on the main shopping drag, the Zeil, just two minutes from the Hauptwache underground station.
The four-star hotel, the Thurn and Taxis Palais, is designed for jetsetters, golfers, bankers or trade fair delegates, incorporating every conceivable facility for comfort and leisure. The Tower at the Thurn will provide a work environment geared to 21st century work habits, with open spaces, rest and recreational areas sitting alongside after-work sports facilities.
Unlike the rest of the complex, the meeting point will be Baroque-style with opulent pillars, sculptures, a courtyard and cupola hall. While the shopping centre is promised to offer food, fun, fashion, clubs, even a kindergarten.
What’s yet to be disclosed is the cost.
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Sliced in half by the River Main, Frankfurt has a rich 1200-year history that it masks well behind a skyscraper skyline. More than half the city, including most of the town centre, was obliterated during World War II. But unlike Nuremberg, which took great pains to restore the original old-world feel, Frankfurt embraced an innovative futuristic architectural policy giving it a forward-thinking, radical new look.
Nicknamed Mainhattan, it has nine of the ten-tallest skyscrapers in Germany and parts of it feel more like Tokyo or New York than a traditional Hessen town, surrounded as it is by dark forests and feudal castles, and sitting at the very heart of the nation.
This is Germany’s financial hub, the economic powerhouse of the country and home to hundreds of banks, including the Bundesbank and European Central Bank. It’s also a major communications and transport centre and gateway to Bavaria and has an impressive amount to offer visitors. So it’s well worth spending a few extra days here if you’re visiting for business.
Frankfurt is very cosmopolitan, nearly 30 per cent of its citizens are foreign giving it a wealth of gastronomic possibilities and a thriving nightlife. It’s also a dynamic cultural centre, spending more on art than any other city in Europe.
For the finest museums and to kick-back and relax in the evening, Frankfurt’s preserved old quarter, the Sachsenhausen, is a must. A city-within-a-city and linked to the town centre by a series of bridges, it’s known for its apple wine - a local brew served at practically every tavern.
There are plenty of fine museums, theatres and galleries, but among the best is the Städelsches Kunstinstitut, one of the most comprehensive galleries in Europe with works by Jan van Eyck, Botticelli and Rembrandt. As Frankfurt was the home of writer Wolfgang von Goethe, it’s worth taking a look at the Goethe-Museum, immaculately restored after the war to replicate the house he was born in.
Also in the old town (altstadt) is the Dom, St Bartholomäus Cathedral, the city’s most imposing building. Long before the arrival of skyscrapers, the Dom’s tower was the tallest structure in Frankfurt and thanks to tight planning regulations, it still peers over the old town and gives terrific cityscape views from the top.
If you’re on a shopping spree, start at the Hauptwache, a former police station, now a good café, and then head off down the Zeil, Frankfurt’s longest shopping street. There’s a handy pedestrian zone, Fressgass (meaning Glutton’s Lane) that’s packed with tempting delis and pavement cafés.
Night-owls are equally well served. Many venues stay open until 4am and later at weekends, blasting out everything from techno beats to soothing jazz. There’s also plenty of cultural choice, a packed programme of opera, classical concerts and theatre, often in English.
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Start at the Römerberg in the old town as it’s the historical and roughly the geographical centre of the city. This low hill was where Emperor Charlemagne built his fort, on top of earlier Roman and Alemannic settlements. In the Middle Ages the Römerberg was used as a market place and fairground. At the western end is the Römer itself with Gothic façade and triple-sided gables, the building has been wonderfully restored to its former pre-war glory and a row of seven half-timbered houses sit in front of the Römer built in the 1970s to the original plans.
You can’t miss the enormous red sandstone church of St Bartholomäus, locally known as the Dom. This was where German kings were chosen and where emperors were crowned. The two portals which feature most of the original sculptures are definitely worth seeing, but even more impressive are the views from the 95-metre tower. Although it’s a climb, it’s well worth it - the ultra-modern skyscrapers interspersed with ancient church spires create an extraordinary skyline.
Take a café break and then stroll through the Taunusanlage and the Gallusanlage, two narrow stretches of parkland that curve around the Main River, following the line of the old city wall.
If it’s sunny, enjoy an al fresco lunch with a glass of the locally brewed beer, and then amble over to the museum embankment on the side of the Main. If you only want to visit one, pick the Städelsches Kunstinstitut, the star attraction. It’s laid out chronologically from the top floor, so depending on your taste and stamina, start with the German collection, following on to works from the Netherlands (don’t miss van Eyck, Rembrandt and Goya) to the 18th century and more modern pieces on the first floor.
Put your feet up and relax by taking an hour’s boat tour, it’s the best way to get to grips with the modern heart of the city and offers some unbeatable views. Then end the day at the Sachsenhausen at an apple wine tavern, for an evening of lively entertainment and hearty local cuisine.
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Hotel accommodation in Frankfurt is generally expensive thanks to the huge volume of business travellers passing through the various trade fairs. The biggest of these is the Book Fair, the world’s largest, at the end of September-beginning of October. Normal rates get hiked up by up to 100 per cent, so book well in advance.
Flybe Hotels offers plenty of choice.
For something special, visit The Pure, a fabulous “design” hotel, about as hip and cool as you’ll find. It’s all glossy dark wood, huge plants and white walls, but with only 50 rooms has an intimate feel. Conveniently placed a few minutes from the train station, it also has a gym and sauna.
The Quality Kaiserhof City Centre is a newly renovated three-star in the heart of the city, a good quality hotel excellently placed.
And you can’t beat the three-star Elbe Hotel for access to shops and restaurants.
Splash out a little more for a night at 25 Hours, a plush four-star hotel close to the centre in the very up-and-coming Hanauer Landrsrassse district, which is packed with traditional pubs, haute cuisine eateries and contemporary architecture.
www.flybehotels.com
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Frankfurt Airport is one of the world’s busiest but most efficient airports. It offers good connections downtown. Trains leave approximately once every 10 minutes to Frankfurt’s main train station, the Hauptbahnhof, taking 11 minutes. There are also plenty of buses to take you to town; the bus station is directly opposite the exit of Terminal 1. If you arrive at terminal 2, take the free Sky Line shuttle to Terminal 1. Details of trains, timetables and information about the city is available at the DB Service Point, Terminal 1, open 24 hours, tel: +49 (0) 69 690 265 15540.
www.airportcity-frankfurt.com
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Public transport in the city is operated by RMV. A comprehensive network is covered by bus and tram, S-Bahn and U-Bahn. Try to avoid purchasing tickets between 6-9am and 4-6.30pm when they’re more expensive. A day ticket costs about €5, €7.50 including the airport. Better to pick up a Frankfurt Card, €8 for one day, €12 for two which reduces the cost of visiting museums, but bear in mind most museums are free on Wednesdays. www.rmv.de
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Frankfurt is full of things to do and see, being Germany’s sports capital it recently was the main stage for the 2006 football World Cup. Here are some of the things you can do in Frankfurt.
Frankfurt Zoo: The zoo houses over 3200 animals from 600 different species. It one of Germany’s premier zoos and is open all summer from 09.00 – 19.00 everyday. www.frankfurt-zoo.de
Panoramabad Bornheimer Hang: This national diving centre offers fantastic views of Eastern Frankfurt as you relax in the comforts of the modern bathing experience. With diving and swimming pools, saunas, a salon and a restaurant you can spend the whole day here without getting bored. Tel: +49 69 / 46 51 85.
www.frankfurt-tourismus.de
Hot air balloon trips: Go at sunrise or sunset and get the best view possible of Frankfurt. One of the most stress-free ways to spend a day. The whole activity lasts five hours of which one and a half hours you are high above the city. Greeted with a champagne reception on landing it is the best way to see the sunset over the city. www.frankfurt-tourismus.de
Golf: The golf park Idstein is an 18-hole championship course which was built in 1989. Open to the public, this course is a challenge for all abilities, and equipped with all the facilities you would want from a golf club. www.golfpark-idstein.de
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Frankfurt is the financial capital of Germany and one of the major banking centres of Europe, ranked as one of the key economic centres in the world. Some 55,000 people are employed in the financial services industry along the River Main.
The city is home to more than 400 banks and financial institutions, including the European Central Bank which established its headquarters here in 1993. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is the largest in Germany.
The city is also Europe’s largest and most popular trade show destination. More than two million people travel to Frankfurt each year to visit one of over 50 international trade shows and exhibitions held here.
In excess of 44,000 companies have offices in Frankfurt, it’s also one of the world’s most important interfaces for the Internet and telecommunications industries.
For information on doing business here, contact the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce. Tel: +49 (0) 69 21 97 0.
www.frankfurt-main.ihk.de
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Palmengarten has been named Frankfurt’s most sought-after address according to a recent online report. Located in the West side of the city the area is well known for being the playground of Frankfurt’s highfliers.
The price per square metre is €5000 or £350; this is considered normal for such a wealthy area and is only the average cost across the region. Many of the homes are only available for rent however as owners have begun to see how much money can be made from these much prized properties.
If you’re looking to buy a home or start a business here, communication is no problem as almost everyone speaks English. If you’re here on business and are looking to rent, a modern, well-equipped two-bed apartment overlooking the River Main costs around £1,300 a month. www.moveandstay.com
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Start by investing in a Frankfurt Card, from any of the tourist offices. It gives free RMV (bus and tram) public transport and 50 per cent off admission prices to 22 museums. A one-day pass costs €8, two days €12.
The Altstadt. Römerberg: The historical and geographical centre of the city. Charlemagne built his fort here on the site of earlier Roman and Alemannic settlements. The Kaisersaal, open daily 10am-1pm and 2-5pm, entry €2, the former emperor’s coronation hall, lined with the 19th century portraits of 52 German emperors.
St Bartholomäus: Tel: +49 (0) 69 1337 6184. The most significant building in the old town, known as the Dom. Its tower, open April-October 9am-1pm and 2.30-6pm, entry €1.50, gives excellent city views from the top. Aside from the impressive church interior, the Dommuseum (open Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm, entry €2) features treasury items and jewellery and artefacts unearthed during recent restoration work.
Goethe-Museum: 23 Grosser Hirschgraben, where Goethe was born and raised. The museum, open April-Sep Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; Oct-Mar Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm, www.goethehaus-frankfurt.de, admission €5, displays his books and writings.
Sachsenhausen: Come here to eat, drink and be merry at the apple wine bars.
Museumsufer: Along the Museumsufer are the best museums. Seven to visit, but don’t miss the Städelsches Kunstinstitut, open Tues & Fri-Sun 10am-5pm, Wed-Thurs 10am-8pm, entry €6 but free Wednesdays. Plenty of masterpieces in the German section, but the collection’s chief draw are the pieces from the Netherlandish School, there’s also a huge range from the seventh to 18th century.
www.staedelmuseum.de
Frankfurt Zoo: Tel: +49 (0) 69 2123 3735. Open summer daily 9am-7pm, winter daily 9am-5pm. The largest zoo in Western Germany and one of the best in Europe. It houses 3,200 animals from more than 600 species. The African Veldt, bear castle and jungle environment are particular highlights. www.frankfurt-zoo.de
Boat tours: Many companies offer sightseeing cruises of the River Main. From the helm the views are outstanding. Tours range from half an hour to several days. The tourist office (see Factfile below) has details.
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Hesse: One of the wealthiest and most prosperous regions of Germany, largely due to the financial capital Frankfurt, but also to the heavy industry that still exists around the Maine and Rhine, at towns like Kassel and Darmstadt. Despite this, the countryside around Frankfurt is about as quintessentially German as you could imagine.
But then the Brothers Grimm, Hesse’s most famous sons, were clearly inspired by their environs and set their fairytales in the dense wooded forests, highland castles and half-timbered towns.
Marburg: Due north of Frankfurt (easily reached by train) is Marburg, Hessse’s original capital and a key town to visit - it was almost untouched by war, about the only piece of preserved history in Germany. It’s split into an upper and lower town, dominated by two amazing buildings, the Elisabethkirche and the Schloss (castle). The upper town is a patchwork of plunging streets, winding stairways and alleys and the Steinweg, an ancient street lined by half-timbered buildings.
Towering over the Marburg is the castle, a beautiful residential palace rather than a place of fortification, featuring the country’s largest banqueting hall, a large courtyard and covered bridge. The University employs almost a quarter of the population, giving rise to a wealth of bars, bistros and restaurants.
Fulda: Also worth visiting is the town of Fulda, which lies in a narrow valley between the Gogelsberg and the Rhön. Its Dom is a classic Baroque structure and unlike any other German cathedral. The huge stuccoed interior is almost taken over by a full-blown gilded Assumption of the Madonna flanked by six marble columns. Stroll around the Schlossgarten, an impressive ornamental park which leads to the Orangerie, another outstanding Baroque building with ornate ceiling paintings. In the centre is a useful pedestrianised shopping district, housing a clutch of small museums, one of which features the Gutenberg Bible.
Frankfurt is also ideal for day trips, the mountainous forest landscapes of the Taunus, Spessart and Odenwald regions are easily reached by car or public transport. The Rheingau area is famed for its castles and vineyards.
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Frankfurt’s nightlife is one of the most vibrant in Europe, with most places open until 4am and, at weekends, all night. For listings of live gigs, buy a copy of Prinz or Journal Frankfurt.
Maybachstrasse (+49 (0) 69 9521 8410) stages some of the best live music in town. Past acts have included Ginger Baker, Uriah Heep, Robert Cray and Supergrass. There’s a good mix of music from alternative rock to blues and jazz.
For a relaxed evening in a piano bar, visit Casablanca (+49 (0) 69 26 97 0), very Humphrey Bogart.
Galerie Frankfurt (+49 (0) 69 230 171) boasts an enormous dance floor for young disco and pop hip-hop lovers, the code is dress to impress.
If you can’t decide what mood you’re in, visit Sinkkasten (+49 (0) 69280 335), there’s everything here from a pool room to cabaret stage, disco floor to jazz bar.
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A look at Frankfurt’s silhouette reveals an unusual skyline by any European city’s standards. It’s characterised by the skyscraping Messeturm and numerous other banking high-rise offices; the cloud-piercing outline has become ‘Mainhattan’s’ unofficial city symbol.
Frankfurt has a history of trade and commerce dating back 1200 years and remains extremely wealthy today. It’s home to the German Stock Exchange, the European Central Bank, Deutsche Bundesbank and over 300 other financial institutions from around the world.
The city also boasts Europe’s tallest office block, the Commerzbank which reaches 259 metres, not including a 40-metre antennae.
But the skyline is constantly changing, new higher skyscrapers are under construction and more are in the pipeline. If you’ve a head for heights, Main Tower is open to the public, visit the restaurant on the 53rd floor for panoramic dining views or the observation platform on the 55th.
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Photographer: Goesta A. C. Ruehl. © Tourismus+Congress GmbH Frankfurt am Main |
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