Western Germany

About Frankfurt

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

Messe The city is known for the Messe Frankfurt, (Messe is German for Industrial Fair) which is the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organizer with its own exhibition grounds. In 1240 the Emperor Frederick II launched the first “Autumn Fair” and they’ve never looked back! The Main Tower Like most major cities in the world, Frankfurt too has its Tower and observation deck  (Aussichtsplattform) on Neue Mainzer Str. 52–58. This is one of the best places to get an amazing view of this fascinating city and capture that “Kodak Moment” (there is a fee to pay in order to get to the roof).   Goethe House  Johan Wolfgang von Goethe was born in this house on Grosser Hirschgraben. As we all know he was a famous writer, poet, scientist, statesman – he was a real polymath. It was here that he wrote the first draft of what was his most famous book “Faust”. During WWII, the original Goethe House was bombed but was eventually rebuilt. The Goethe House and the Deutsches Romantik-Museum which has a permanent exhibition about Goethe’s early years are next to each other. St Paul's Church (Paulskirche Church)  Once the main Evangelical Lutheran Church of Frankfurt, stands St Paul's Church which was built in 1833 on Paulsplatz 11. However today it is an exhibition hall or a national assembly hall. A plaque on the outer wall commemorates the visit of the American President J.F. Kennedy to the church in 1963. It was on this visit, at the height of the Cold War, that he gave a speech in Berlin with the famous phrase "I am a Berliner" (Ich bin ein Berliner). City Hall (Römer) in the Old Town of Frankfurt on Römerberg plaza you can visit Römer, as the city hall is called. The Rathaus (city hall) was “put together” in the early 1400’s by combining two medieval houses, named "Römer" and "Goldener Schwan", to become one town hall.  Together with the covered bridge called the Seufzerbrücke (the "Bridge of Sighs"- mimicking the “real” Bridge of Sighs in Venice) they are definite, impressive landmarks. In front of these buildings, in the middle of the square is the Fountain of Justice (The Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen) from the mid 1500’s.  Don’t miss the Ostzeile area with six half-timbered houses which were restored to their former selves after being heavily bombed during WWII. Secret:  You can take time out for a meal in a restaurant called the Haus Wertheym  which is housed in one such half-timber house that remained intact and unscathed. The Frankfurt Cathedral, Roman Catholic - Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew (German: Kaiserdom Sankt Bartholomäus): A narrow pedestrian street leads you from the Town Hall towards the Dom Cathedral.  All these the buildings were also restored, having been totally ruined during WWII. The interior of the cathedral is impressive and if you can climb the to the top from the observation deck you will have your “Kodak Moment” – a spectacular view of the Old Town The Opera House The Frankfurt Opera’s impressive building is easily accessible by public transport and is located near the city's green ring. The original building was built in the late 1800’s and had the honor of Mozart’s Don Giovanni “opening” Frankfurt’s first major opera/concert hall. Unfortunately, this building as well as many treasured older buildings was destroyed in WWII and it took almost 40 years to reconstruct an updated, contemporary concert hall. Shopping and food: Finally, we can relax on Zeil Street along the pedestrian mall near the Old City where there is a wide selection of department stores, shops, restaurants and cafes. We recommend that you take this opportunity to taste and enjoy the well-known Wurstchen Sausage and for dessert to order the Bethmannchen marzipan cookies. Museums If it is icons that are of interest to you, then a visit the Ikonenmuseum Museum of Icons is a must! The high-quality exhibition is presented here for the Aficionado who will appreciate the exciting and extensive collection of diverse items.  This is one of several special and unique museums on the bank opposite the Old City. Frankfurt's old bridge takes you across and the museums are a short walk away on the Sachsenhauser street parallel to the River Main Money Museum of the Deutsche Bundesbank  Geldmuseum der Deutschen Bundesbank: Everybody loves money and here is an opportunity to find out everything you ever wanted to know about this currency. Explore the world of money! In this fascinating museum, you will find the answers to any questions you have about money. It is entertaining and educational! Exhibits, media stations, interactive games, answers to questions like: How is cash produced? How does monetary policy work and what exactly does a central bank do? What role does money play in a globalised world? You will get answers to your questions as well participate in exciting hands-on exhibits and media stations. Suitable for all ages, the exhibition is both in German and English. “It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.” George LorimerSecret: There is no fee, free entrance Note: During WWII hundreds of bombs were dropped on Frankfurt and as a result most of the “original” Old Town was wiped out and had to be rebuilt. 

About Cologne

Nobody can remain indifferent to the spectacular Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). This renowned Gothic architectural marvel is also a symbol of the city and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. As well, in Northern Europe it is seen as an important pilgrimage, as well as being one of the oldest. Its setting on the Rhine River adds to its status: a gateway to a unique city, bursting with a diversity of historical buildings, museums, churches, archeological sites, dynamic shopping areas, restaurants and redundant to say bars and beer houses. And of course, the renowned “Eau de Cologne”. 

Nobody can remain indifferent to the spectacular Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). This renowned Gothic architectural marvel is also a symbol of the city and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. As well, in Northern Europe it is seen as an important pilgrimage, as well as being one of the oldest. Its setting on the Rhine River adds to its status: a gateway to a unique city, bursting with a diversity of historical buildings, museums, churches, archeological sites, dynamic shopping areas, restaurants and redundant to say bars and beer houses. And of course, the renowned “Eau de Cologne”. 

Cologne (German: Köln), one of the oldest of Germany’s cities, was originally a Roman colony and traces of Colonia is felt in every corner so that one feels that the city is still connected to its Roman past. Where the cathedral stands in the courtyard you can see traces of black stripes on the pavement, obviously the place where Roman buildings were at the time of their reign. The Romano-Germanic Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Museum) has on display unusual artifacts from the Roman period, archaeological finds, relics of regular life, and especially an impressive collection of glass and jewelry. The Western Cologne Ring (Kölner Ringe) is a semi-circle paved road which encircles the old city of Cologne (Innenstadt). It is semi-circular, some 4 km long and the remains of the towers and walls of the former mediaeval city can still be seen. It is without a doubt easy to see that a city that has been accepted as an important bishopric from the 9th century, the era of Charlemagne, should have an amazing, unique cathedral erected.  It took from the beginning of the 14th century to the final completion about twenty generations and thus, dozens of churches, monasteries, schools and a university were built in the area because the cathedral raised the status of the city and drew the heads of churches, the clergy, monks, preachers, men of culture and science, artists and believers to its hub. Another tourist attraction is the railway Hohenzollern Bridge over the river Rhine and two equestrian statues, one on each side welcomes everyone as they approach the bridge; one of Wilhelm II and Friedrich III and on the other side stands the statue of Friedrich Wilhelm IV and Wilhelm I. Here too you will find “tons of locks” in the tradition of couples who latch their lock on the railing of the bridge and throw the key into the river, symbolizing that their love is “locked together forever”. It is rumored that this tradition began over 100 years ago in Serbia.  So romantic! A more industrialized part of the city is on the side of the bridge, in front of the Old City. The promenade stretches towards the south and it is here that you can find your “Kodak Moment” and shoot away at different angles of the cathedral, the town hall and the Old City. Not far from the Cathedral, in front of the Ludwig Museum is a large-scale plaza called the Heinrich-Böll-Platz, which was inaugurated in 1986 and designed by Dani Karavan. The most outstanding component of the square design is found at the north-east corner of the area – an almost eleven-meter-high tower called Ma’alot (which in Hebrew refers to the Psalms 120-134, called “songs of steps”, sung in Jerusalem when the priests walk up the steps to the temple with water jugs in their hands). The “Oldest City Hall in Germany” is the one in Cologne (Kölner Rathaus). It was built in the Gothic style with an added loggia in the Renaissance style. The great tower is about sixty meters. Touring inside the impressive place you will see the collection of the city’s history and protocol from the 15thand 16thcenturies, realizing that not much has changed over the centuries. The Jewish Museum, MiQua, currently under construction since 2018, is being built above and below ground on the square where the city hall stands. This is the site of Cologne's historic Jewish quarter from the Middle Ages. The history of the Jews in Cologne dates back to 321 A.D., just about the same length of time as the history of Cologne. The museum will highlight Cologne's general history from 1424 onwards, with a spotlight on the history of the Jewish people in Cologne. A new quarter, named Rhienauhafen, was built on the southern banks of the old city. Inspired by the cranes near the port there are two buildings which seem to float above the river bank. This is a new young urban area that combines business and residences alongside with restaurants, cafes and galleries. The factory that produced The Eau de Cologne 4711 was on Glockengasse Street (and you guessed it) the address was 4711! The well-known brand has been in existence for about 300 years and the factory-store is on Hohe Street (Strasse), one of the busiest and most popular pedestrian malls, not only in Cologne but in Germany. There are plenty of beer houses in the city and of course the most popular with the townspeople is “Klosch”, the local beer popular throughout Europe, which is also used to cook and season the meat dishes so typical of the place.  Note: A Kölsch by any other name is not a Kölsch!  You could only call the beer by the Kölsch name if 1) the beer isproduced within 50 km of Cologne and2) the product, in this case the Kölsch beer, is listed in the geographical indications registersand has the European Union “GPI”  label. Note:Re: Johann M Farina, who was an Italian (rumor has it that he was a barber), and moved to Cologne, Germany in 1709. It was here that he invented a “scented water & alcohol mixture” and called it Eau de Cologne in honorof his adopted new home.

About Muenster

Muenster is the cultural centre of the region. Münster was the siteof the Anabaptist rebellion and the site of the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia ending the Thirty Years' War in 1648. Today it is known as the bicycle capital of Germany. The University of Münster was established in 1780. Now a major European centre for excellence in education and research. St. Paul's Cathedral, built in the 13th century in a mixture of late Romanesque and early Gothic styles. St Lambert's Church (1375), with three cages hanging from its tower. In 1535 these cages were used to display the corpses of the leaders of the Münster Rebellion, who promoted polygamy and renunciation of all property.

Muenster is the cultural centre of the region. Münster was the siteof the Anabaptist rebellion and the site of the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia ending the Thirty Years' War in 1648. Today it is known as the bicycle capital of Germany. The University of Münster was established in 1780. Now a major European centre for excellence in education and research. St. Paul's Cathedral, built in the 13th century in a mixture of late Romanesque and early Gothic styles. St Lambert's Church (1375), with three cages hanging from its tower. In 1535 these cages were used to display the corpses of the leaders of the Münster Rebellion, who promoted polygamy and renunciation of all property.

About Hamburg

The second largest city in Germany and the eighth largest city in the European Union. A former member of the medieval Hanseatic League, as a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire.Today, Hamburg is a major transport hub and is one of the most affluent cities in Europe. Hamburg has architecturally significant buildings in a wide range of styles and only a few skyscrapers. Churches are important landmarks, such as St Nicholas', which for a short time in the 19th century was the world's tallest building. There are many parks distributed over the whole city, which makes Hamburg a very verdant city. The biggest parks are the Stadtpark, the Ohlsdorf Cemetery and Planten un Blomen.

The second largest city in Germany and the eighth largest city in the European Union. A former member of the medieval Hanseatic League, as a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire.Today, Hamburg is a major transport hub and is one of the most affluent cities in Europe. Hamburg has architecturally significant buildings in a wide range of styles and only a few skyscrapers. Churches are important landmarks, such as St Nicholas', which for a short time in the 19th century was the world's tallest building. There are many parks distributed over the whole city, which makes Hamburg a very verdant city. The biggest parks are the Stadtpark, the Ohlsdorf Cemetery and Planten un Blomen.

About Frankfurt

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

Messe The city is known for the Messe Frankfurt, (Messe is German for Industrial Fair) which is the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organizer with its own exhibition grounds. In 1240 the Emperor Frederick II launched the first “Autumn Fair” and they’ve never looked back! The Main Tower Like most major cities in the world, Frankfurt too has its Tower and observation deck  (Aussichtsplattform) on Neue Mainzer Str. 52–58. This is one of the best places to get an amazing view of this fascinating city and capture that “Kodak Moment” (there is a fee to pay in order to get to the roof).   Goethe House  Johan Wolfgang von Goethe was born in this house on Grosser Hirschgraben. As we all know he was a famous writer, poet, scientist, statesman – he was a real polymath. It was here that he wrote the first draft of what was his most famous book “Faust”. During WWII, the original Goethe House was bombed but was eventually rebuilt. The Goethe House and the Deutsches Romantik-Museum which has a permanent exhibition about Goethe’s early years are next to each other. St Paul's Church (Paulskirche Church)  Once the main Evangelical Lutheran Church of Frankfurt, stands St Paul's Church which was built in 1833 on Paulsplatz 11. However today it is an exhibition hall or a national assembly hall. A plaque on the outer wall commemorates the visit of the American President J.F. Kennedy to the church in 1963. It was on this visit, at the height of the Cold War, that he gave a speech in Berlin with the famous phrase "I am a Berliner" (Ich bin ein Berliner). City Hall (Römer) in the Old Town of Frankfurt on Römerberg plaza you can visit Römer, as the city hall is called. The Rathaus (city hall) was “put together” in the early 1400’s by combining two medieval houses, named "Römer" and "Goldener Schwan", to become one town hall.  Together with the covered bridge called the Seufzerbrücke (the "Bridge of Sighs"- mimicking the “real” Bridge of Sighs in Venice) they are definite, impressive landmarks. In front of these buildings, in the middle of the square is the Fountain of Justice (The Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen) from the mid 1500’s.  Don’t miss the Ostzeile area with six half-timbered houses which were restored to their former selves after being heavily bombed during WWII. Secret:  You can take time out for a meal in a restaurant called the Haus Wertheym  which is housed in one such half-timber house that remained intact and unscathed. The Frankfurt Cathedral, Roman Catholic - Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew (German: Kaiserdom Sankt Bartholomäus): A narrow pedestrian street leads you from the Town Hall towards the Dom Cathedral.  All these the buildings were also restored, having been totally ruined during WWII. The interior of the cathedral is impressive and if you can climb the to the top from the observation deck you will have your “Kodak Moment” – a spectacular view of the Old Town The Opera House The Frankfurt Opera’s impressive building is easily accessible by public transport and is located near the city's green ring. The original building was built in the late 1800’s and had the honor of Mozart’s Don Giovanni “opening” Frankfurt’s first major opera/concert hall. Unfortunately, this building as well as many treasured older buildings was destroyed in WWII and it took almost 40 years to reconstruct an updated, contemporary concert hall. Shopping and food: Finally, we can relax on Zeil Street along the pedestrian mall near the Old City where there is a wide selection of department stores, shops, restaurants and cafes. We recommend that you take this opportunity to taste and enjoy the well-known Wurstchen Sausage and for dessert to order the Bethmannchen marzipan cookies. Museums If it is icons that are of interest to you, then a visit the Ikonenmuseum Museum of Icons is a must! The high-quality exhibition is presented here for the Aficionado who will appreciate the exciting and extensive collection of diverse items.  This is one of several special and unique museums on the bank opposite the Old City. Frankfurt's old bridge takes you across and the museums are a short walk away on the Sachsenhauser street parallel to the River Main Money Museum of the Deutsche Bundesbank  Geldmuseum der Deutschen Bundesbank: Everybody loves money and here is an opportunity to find out everything you ever wanted to know about this currency. Explore the world of money! In this fascinating museum, you will find the answers to any questions you have about money. It is entertaining and educational! Exhibits, media stations, interactive games, answers to questions like: How is cash produced? How does monetary policy work and what exactly does a central bank do? What role does money play in a globalised world? You will get answers to your questions as well participate in exciting hands-on exhibits and media stations. Suitable for all ages, the exhibition is both in German and English. “It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.” George LorimerSecret: There is no fee, free entrance Note: During WWII hundreds of bombs were dropped on Frankfurt and as a result most of the “original” Old Town was wiped out and had to be rebuilt.