• Home
• I leave
• I leave

Frankfurt

Frankfurt, the economic crossroads of Europe

Frankfurt am Main, by its real name, is the second financial place in Europe after London and the main financial centre of Germany. It is particularly the head office of the European Central Bank and of Frankfurt's Stock Exchange. Frankfurt is also a major crossroads of Europe. Its Airport is the third one in Europe after London Heathrow and Roissy-Charles De Gaulle, but it is the first one regarding the traffic of passengers. The main characteristic features of this city are its numerous skyscrapers, symbols of its economic strength. The city is often nicknamed Mainhattan, due to the stream which runs across it and referring to Manhattan city. There is a forest too. Besides, Frankfurt's traffic is very dense, which is encouraged by the large avenues running through the city. The small historical centre (rebuilt identically after WWII) is pedestrian, as well as the shopping streets in the city centre.

The inner city possesses one of the hugest European stations, made up by the airport station. Since July 2007, Frankfurt has been linked to Paris by a fast Intercity-Express (the German high speed train), which partly follows the Eastern European high speed route (a journey of 3:50). Besides, Frankfurt is also criss-crossed by street-car and subway routes. Finally, Frankfurter Kreuz, interchange between the urban North-South and East-West motorways and serving the airport, is the most busy motorways heart in Europe

Frankfurt city centre is very commercial, including Zeilstrabe, where Zeilgalerie (shopping mall on several floors) is situated and from the top of which you have a general sight on Frankfurt (except North).On the very typical Römerplatz, where the city hall is located, there are many fairs and Christmas markets. The Römer is a medieval building, with the statue of four German emperors and two eagles on top of its doors. Paulskirche, where Frankfurt Parliament (the first one of German history) met first in 1848, is situated just next square.

On a cultural point of view, there are many museums in Frankfurt. Most of them are located on Schaumainkai, a pleasant promenade. Städelsches Kunstinstitut contains major works from Dürer, Cranach, Holbein, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Cézanne, Renoir, Beckmann, Kirchner, Dix and "Goethe on the roman countryside" by Tischbein. A beautiful recollection is also available at MMK, Museum für Moderne Kunst. Frankfurt museums generally gather many famous works. The biggest museum in Germany is Senckenberg's. Close to Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, it displays the most important set of big dinosaurs in Europe.

Frankfurt Book Fair, which has been recounted since 1150, has mainly been contributing to the city's fame. It is the most important book fair in the world. It takes place every year during five days in the middle of October. It gathers about 7 000 exhibitors and 300 000 visitors.

Finally, Frankfurt is also an impressive city regarding sports. Here is located the head office of the men football club Eintracht Frankurt. There is another club, less important: the FSV Frankfurt. One of the best women football clubs of Germany is also in the city. Frankfurt also houses a hockey club: Frankfurt Lions and a basketball club, successful too: Frankfurt Skyliners. There used to be the Frankfurt Galaxy, a former American football club. Every year, the start and the finish of Frankfurt Grand Prix take place in the city.

Last information not to miss: whereas Frankfurt possesses two famous breweries, here the usual drink is cider. Called Ebbelwoï, it is sourish, unsweet, very slightly sparkling and very thirst-quenching!

USEFUL LINKS :

Published on 27/02/2009