Schmap.com supports the following browsers:
PC
 Autumn flower show |
Siesmayerstraße 61 Frankfurt, HES 60323 Germany +49 69 2123 3391 http://www.stadt-frankfurt.de/... |
Established in 1869, Frankfurt's Palm Garden boasts one of Europe's finest displays of exotic plants. If that was not enough, the Palm Garden also hosts special events like the annual Autumn Flower Show. The show provides visitors with the chance to savour the last blossoms before winter sets in and is especially recommended for those in need of a brief respite from busy city life. This event is year-round, check website for details. Admission is EUR5-7 for adults; family ticket EUR9.50-12; concessions are from EUR2 to EUR2.50. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 The financial district |
Westend Frankfurt, HES 60325 Germany |
Frankfurt's love affair with the world of finance began as long ago as the Middle Ages, when traders from all over Europe brought their wares to the city for sale. Over the past few decades, Frankfurt has developed into one of the world's most important financial metropolises. Most German banks now have their head offices in the Taunus area, as do the European Central Bank and numerous other major international institutions. The wish to be the biggest and the best is reflected in the financial district's skyline, affectionately known by locals as 'Mainhattan' because of its mass of skyscrapers. In September, some of these buildings are open to the public for a 'skyscraper festival', when visitors can climb to the top of the Commerzbank building (258m) and enjoy the view from the twin towers of the Deutsche Bank (155 m) and the Messeturm (256m). Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Brian Sholis |
 Photo: Matthew Rubin |
 Photo: Jonas Sauciunas |
 Photo: Stuart Hall |
 Photo: Dimitar Denev |
 Photo: Aaron Pulkka |
 Photo: Jessica.mingyu |
 Photo: Gordon Jenks |
 Photo: Hele Oakley |
|
Bockenheim's watchtower |
Bockenheimer Landstraße Bockenheim Frankfurt, HES 60325 Germany |
The Bockenheim watchtower is the only one of Frankfurt's Medieval towers without a fortified courtyard and water system. Constructed in 1434-35, the building acted as the lookout tower along the road that leads to Cologne. The Gothic tower, which was built in a cylindrical form, has a pyramid shaped roof and battlements. The half-timbered guard house is octagonal in shape and was accessible only by retractable steps. If need be, a large number of defenders could take cover in the room. There is a market at the foot of the tower once a week. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Alex |
 Photo: sweejak  |
|
Botanical gardens |
Siesmayerstraße 72 Frankfurt, HES 60323 Germany +49 69 7982 4763 http://www.botanischergarten.u... |
A visit to the Botanical Gardens is like taking a fascinating journey through different areas of botanical beauty - from the hardwood forests of North America to the barren savannah of Africa. Approximately eight hectares of open land and numerous greenhouses and plantation areas contain over 6,000 different plant species. The spectrum includes everything from exotic rainforest flowers to Central European weeds. A series of informative signs explains all about the different species and their natural habitats. The Botanical Gardens are run by the University of Frankfurt. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Andrea Page |
 Photo: Edwin van Geelen |
 Photo: Anja Scholl |
 Photo: Leonieke Aalders |
 Photo: Claudia Unkelbach |
 Photo: yulahu |
 Photo: yulahu |
 Photo: racingsnake |
 Photo: max.muse |
 Photo: laurenatclemson |
|
Ode to a gingko tree |
Rödelheimer Parkweg Rödelheim Frankfurt, HES 60489 Germany +49 69 2123 0991 |
The well-to-do Brentano family transformed this patch of land into a landscape garden in about 1770. The classical temple in the middle of the park stems from the same period. Poet and playwright Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was said to have helped with the design of the garden, and the gingko tree is supposed to have inspired the gingko tree poem in Goethe's West-Eastern Divan. Local authorities acquired the park in 1924 and gave permission for the building of a swimming pool, the Brentano baths, and other alterations. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Sabine Rosenthal |
 In memory of the First World War |
Zeppelinallee 99-103 Bockenheim Frankfurt, HES 60487 Germany +49 69 2123 4640 / +49 69 2123 8800 (Zentrum des Tourismus) |
This church, north of Bockenheim, was built in 1929 as a memorial to the lives lost in the First World War. The huge mosaic column at the entrance is entitled Madonna, Queen of Peace and was designed by Emil Sutor. The pieta in the crypt was made by the famous artist Ruth Schaumann. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Post office tower |
Wilhelm-Eppstein-Straße Ginnheim Frankfurt, HES 60431 Germany +49 69 2123 4640/ +49 69 2123 8800 (Zentrum des Tourismus) |
Built by the German post office in 1976-78, this 331m-high communications tower in the district of Ginnheim is affectionately known by locals as the 'asparagus' due to its height and shape. The platform contains a revolving restaurant (capacity 200), a disco, Europe's highest internet café and a lookout point, from which visitors get an amazing view of the Rhine-Main area. The tower was built from 20,000 square metres of concrete and 3,000 tons of steel. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Festival Hall |
Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1 Westend Frankfurt, HES 60327 Germany +49 69 7575 6404 http://www.festhalle.de |
For many years, Messe Frankfurt's mighty dome was the largest indoor arena in Europe. Iron buttresses span the dome at a height of over 30m, and the partitions are made of glass. The building was opened in 1908 for the 11th German Gymnastics Festival, but has remained incomplete: the proposed warehouse section and conference rooms were never built. Today, the hall is part of the exhibition center (known as 'Halle 2') and can hold up to 12,000 people. It is used as a venue for concerts, opera, ice-skating, tennis tournaments and other big events. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Sera Skywalker |
 Photo: Sheri Newton |
|
Protector of the people |
Mainzer Landstraße Gallusviertel Frankfurt, HES 60326 Germany +49 69 2123 8800/ +49 69 2123 4640 (Zentrum des Tourismus) |
During the Middle Ages, the town of Frankfurt was regularly threatened by men on horseback, who rode in from other areas and attempted to burn down parts of the town, take away livestock and rob local merchants. The first watchtower, built as a means of protecting the town, was erected at the end of the 14th century. As the first tower was made of wood, it did not last forever and was replaced by a stone construction in 1552. This has survived centuries of turmoil, and is now used as a ventilation pipe for the town's sewage system. How the mighty have fallen! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Memories of the Renaissance |
Grempstraße 36 Bockenheim Frankfurt, HES 60487 Germany +49 69 2123 8800 (Zentrum des Tourismus) |
This two-storey Renaissance house originates from 1582 and used to be the property of the Gremp von Freudenstein aristocratic family. Situated next-door to the church, the house was considered the most important secular building in the village of Bockenheim. The park behind the Gremp'sches Haus contains a classical country house, built by Frankfurt architect Friedrich Christian Hess in 1829. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 All about Struwwelpeter |
Schubertstraße 20 Westend Frankfurt, HES 60325 Germany +49 69 74 7969 http://www.frankfurter-museen.de |
This museum documents the life and work of Dr. Heinrich Hoffmann (1809-94), who shot to fame as the writer of the enormously popular children's book, Struwwelpeter ('Shock-headed Peter'). The museum is owned by the Frankfurter Werkgemeinschaft, a local charity which runs a day centre for mentally-ill people in the same building. This represents a continuation of Hoffmann's work, because besides being an author, Hoffmann was the director of a local mental asylum and fought for the reform of psychiatry and spoke out against the (often brutal) treatment of the mentally ill in nineteenth century Germany. The centrepiece of the museum, however, is Struwwelpeter, with a host of exhibits including rare copies, exotic translations and parodies of the 150-year-old bestseller. Special exhibitions examine different aspects of Hoffmann's life and literature. Admission: EUR 1 Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: nilibr |
|
Historical university buildings |
Mertonstraße 17-21 Bockenheim Frankfurt, HES 60325 Germany |
Built in 1906 as the "Academy of Trade and Social Science", the sandstone façade of the building is a replica of Mannheim Castle. A spacious staircase leads to the main hall on the upper floor. When Frankfurt University was founded in 1914, the building became the headquarters of the new university and the whole complex was extended. The building has been restored and remodelled in recent decades. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Tom Lohdan |
 Photo: daniel zimmel |
 Photo: Maren Yumi Motomura |
|
Leafy suburban park |
Ginnheimer Wäldchen Ginnheim Frankfurt, HES 60431 Germany +49 69 2123 8800 / +49 69 2123 4640 (Zentrum des Tourismus) |
Located in the middle of three suburban estates and bordered by a main road and railway line, Niddatal Park is one of the largest parks in the city. With a mixture of forest, pasture, rivers and exotic gardens, this is paradise for walkers, cyclists and picnickers, as well as for a variety of wildlife and birds. The park was re-landscaped for the national garden show in 1989, but has since been returned to its previous state. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
The palm garden |
Siesmayerstraße 61 Frankfurt, HES 60323 Germany +49 69 2123 3939 http://www.stadt-frankfurt.de/... |
Originally established in 1869 to house the Duke of Nassau's plant collection, the Palmengarten (Palm Garden) contains a stunning array of exotic plants. Visitors are free to wander at will through the gardens, although the guided tours are recommended for those who want to learn more about the plant world. Numerous activities take place throughout the year, including open-air classical concerts in the Summer, the Festival of Light in June, the Autumn Festival in September and the Orchid Festival in October. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Louise Joly |
 Photo: CHRISTOF KESSEMEIER |
 Photo: Karin |
 Photo: Carmen Villadar |
|
Barbecues and Zeppelins |
Am Römerhof 15 Bockenheim Frankfurt, HES 60486 Germany +49 69 716 7380 |
These beautiful green pastures were only turned into a public park during the 1960s, having previously been used as a take-off and landing point for Zeppelins. Over the past few years, the park has become increasingly popular with picnickers and attracts families from all over the city. The Rebstockbad swimming pool is also located on the park grounds. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Fun for the whole family |
Zum Rebstockbad 7 Rebstock Frankfurt, HES 60486 Germany +49 69 70 8078 http://www.bbf-frankfurt.de/er... |
This pool provides fun for the family the whole year round. A wave machine and the best water chutes in Frankfurt attract more than 600,000 visitors a year. The complex is decorated with plenty of plants and includes a non-swimmers' pool, plunge pool, therapeutic pool, a five metre diving board and a giant double chute. Visitors can also swim in the outdoor area, under bridges and past fountains. For a small fee, you can visit the beautiful Japanese sauna, the Turkish baths or the whirlpool. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Medieval castle |
August-Siebert-Straße 22 Bockenheim Frankfurt, HES 60323 Germany +49 69 2123 8800 (Zentrum des Tourismus) |
Schönhof can look back on a long and glorious history: originally a castle surrounded by a moat, it was later occupied by medieval knights and finally turned into a baroque estate. The main house, barracks and annex were rebuilt in 1819 after a fire, and had various classical elements added to them. At the end of the 19th century, ownership was handed over to the city authorities and the property was reduced in size in order to make way for more and more roads. The landscape garden also fell victim to urban redevelopment, and its classical chapel was moved to Grüneburg Park. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Natural history museum |
Senckenberganlage 25 Frankfurt, HES 60325 Germany +49 69 75420 http://www.senckenberg.de/ |
One of the largest natural history museums in the country, the Senckenberg Museum originates from a foundation set up in 1763 by local doctor Johann Christian Senckenberg. Dedicated to education and scientific research, the collection includes a multitude of fossils and other objects from the Palaeozoic period to the Stone Age. Special collections provide an insight into the history of life on earth. Many exhibits enjoy worldwide renown; the large free-standing animal skeletons are especially impressive and are particularly popular with children. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Peter Rohleder |
 Photo: Der Graf |
 Photo: Daniel Tamayo |
 Photo: Roy Wong |
 Photo: neelzito |
 Photo: krismo_pompas |
 Photo: Briain de Seadhach |
|
Neo-classical home |
Siesmeyerstraße 12 Westend Frankfurt, HES 60323 Germany +49 69 72 6579 |
The 'Villa Bonn' is a typical upper-class residence, and takes its name from the banker who commissioned it. Built between 1895 and 1897 near the 'Palmengarten' (Palm Gardens), the villa displays an ingenious mixture of neo-classical and Italian Renaissance styles, and boasts extravagant stairwells and opulent rooms. The villa was used as a hospital during the First World War, and was home to the Frankfurt 'Gesellschaft für Handel, Industrie und Wissenschaft' (Society for Trade, Industry and Science). It is now a private home. Review © 2007, Wcities |