Frankfurt am MainIn the heart of Germany, is a particular city, halfway between modernity and tradition and between metropolis and nature. The city is also in a central position with respect to Europe: its airport is, in fact, one of the busiest airports in the world.
A trip to Frankfurt is worth even just for discover the ethno-cultural mix that distinguishes it, as well as for the five excellent reasons that follow.
1.His modern heart and breathtaking skyline
The modern face of the city is an indissoluble part of it: after the almost total destruction in the Second World War, Frankfurt was rebuilt several times, and now has a heart full of skyscrapers and modern buildings. The city is jokingly called by its inhabitants "Bankfurt" or "Mainhattan" (pun between Main, the River Main, and Manhattan, the financial center of New York) for its numerous banks: it is in fact the headquarters, among others, of the German Federal Bank and the well-known European Central Bank. During the day you can walk among the wide streets in the center, well protected by a pair of dark glasses: the reflection of the sun on the windows of the skyscrapers is dazzling! In the evening, however, the city changes face with its thousand lights: the reflection of the skyline in the Main is truly fascinating! Even the panorama from the top of the towers takes your breath away. There Main Tower is the skyscraper with the highest viewing platform open to the public (200 m), but the ticket is not exactly cheap: to see the city for free from above you can go up to the seventh floor of the Zeil Galerie, a shopping center in the pedestrian zone with a nice view of the historic center.
2.The Old Town with the authentic neighborhood of Alt-Sachsenhausen
Next to the modern part of the city there is also the beautiful historic center. Even though most of its buildings were faithfully rebuilt after the war, there is still an air of tradition strolling along the Gassen (narrow streets) of the center. The Römerberg square, with the beautiful
Town Hall, the Alte Nikolaikirche (old church of St. Nicholas) and the Paulskirche, seat of the first German National Assembly in 1848, tell years of history through their different styles. Even the Duomo worth a visit: from 1562 to 1792 they were crowned well 10 Holy Roman Emperors. If you cross the river from the Kaiserdom, you will reach Alt-Sachsenhausen, the most typical district of Frankfurt: between the narrow alleys and the original half-timbered houses you will find all the traditional clubs and numerous pubs to celebrate in the evening.
3.The traditional cuisine local and the Apfelwein
Even the traditional local dish is worth a visit to the German city: the Currywurst with potatoes it's really tasty! I recommend trying it as a street food: at “Hanz & Franz”, in front of the Paulskirche, you can taste the Currywurst accompanied with chips or the classic sandwich.
Of course you have to water everything with a nice glass of Apfelwein, the local cider: it can be tasted everywhere, but the best one is drunk in the many traditional taverns of the Alt-Sachsenhausen district. Also there Green Sauce, a very creamy green sauce, is typical of the city, as is i Frankfurt Bethmännchen (Marzipan Pastries): These treats are definitely worth a taste (or maybe two!).
4.The life along the river
Frankfurt also has a green lung: its parks and gardens full of flowers and fountains are always very popular with Germans as well as various tourists. About ten minutes from the center is the Palmengarten, the Palm Garden, which is home to the flora of many different climatic zones. While along the banks of the Main you can walk, ride a bike or sit on the grass to have a picnic and play the guitar with friends: with the arrival of spring it is just ideal! For those who love to sail, there are many associations they offer boat rides or by canoe, to see the city from another point of view.
5.Culture and entertainment no stop
For those who love to have fun, Frankfurt offers more and less chic clubs, discos, pubs and clubs where you can also listen to live music: lovers of jazz and blues cannot miss an evening at theOrange Peel (Kaiserstraße 39, orange-peel.de), a two-storey venue that often hosts performances by individual artists and bands. The city offers many cultural visits: the famous Main bank it is a succession of museums along the river bank with exhibitions and collections of all kinds. There is really plenty of choice: from the great Städel to the curious exhibitions of the Schirnhalle, dal Caricature museum to Cinema museum, if the weather is threatening, you won't be bored in the city for sure.
To save money, I recommend the MuseumsUferTicket (price 18 €, reduced 10 €): with this ticket you can visit 34 museums during two days. And it is precisely along the Mainufer that one of the largest festivals in Europe of its kind takes place every summer: it is the Riva dei Musei festival (museumsuferfest.de), scheduled this year from 29 to 31 August, in a combination of art and culture, music and food and wine.
- private events they are never lacking in the city: around March-April the scene is there Luminale, an event of light installations and performances that accompany the annual “Fair of light”, while with the arrival of summer there are numerous street parties that are organized in every neighborhood. Of course there is no shortage of stalls street food and Apfelwein: every occasion is good for the Germans to celebrate.
