Elisabeth Lücke
CLASSICAL TOURS
Historical Frankfurt
The ancient city centre has always been attractive to a lot of visitors and every now and then it used to be compared to „Petit France“ in Straßbourg. The townhall called „Römer“ with its stepped gables, the old church of St. Nicholas and the reconstructed row of timber framed houses contribute to what is called in Frankfurt „Gut Stubb“, a word in the local dialect referring to this charming place which is well liked and frequented by visitors as well as the citizens. During the time of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation Frankfurt was the place where emperors were elected and crowned. So the old part of the city is an important site in European history. Also the origins of the trade fairs and the money business are to be found here. Apart from that an important aspect of Germany´s history is linked to St. Paul´s Church, where the national assembly tried to unify Germany in 1848. Lately the old part of the city has changed, because the technical townhall of the 1970s was torn down and several buildings that were destroyed in World War II were rebuilt historically.
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♿ Barrier-free walking tour
🕑 Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Historical and modern Frankfurt
On the one hand Frankfurt looks back to more than 1200 years in history, this becomes evident in the old part of the city with the cathedral and the excavation site „Kaiserpfalz Franconofurd“. On the other hand Frankfurt has become a modern, multicultural metropolis dominated by the tertiary sector. People do not only work here, they actually live here. That´s why the tour does not only take into account trade fair business, banks but also cultural institutions as e.g.museums and shopping.
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♿ Barrier-free walking tour
🕑 Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Goethe´s house
The birthplace of Germany´s most famous writer, J. W. Goethe, is located in a street called „Großer Hirschgraben“. It was there that he was born on August 28 th,1749. He spent his childhood and part of his youth in Frankfurt until he went to Weimar, where he spent the longest period of his lifetime until his death. His birthplace has passed through many hands until it was acquired by Otto Volger, founder of the Free German Foundation. The house was finally made open to the public. Following destruction in World War II it was rebuilt and now illustrates in an impressive way how well-to-do people lived in the 18th century. Goethe´s house definately is a „must“ for all who have read „Poetry and Truth“, J. W. Goethe´s autobiography, because here scenes come to live.
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🚶 This visit is not barrier-free.
🕑 Duration: approx. 1 hour
URBAN DISTRICTS
Höchst
This district in the southwestern part of Frankfurt was incorporated in 1928. Those who hear „Höchst“ first of all think of chemical industry and pollution, but Höchst has a lot to offer and there are several reasons to visit Höchst: the St. Justin´s church dating back to Carolingian times (not always accessible), the Höchst castle, the Bolongaro Palace of the Italian producers of snuff as well as the second oldest porcelain manufactory in Germany. Picturesque lanes invite to stroll around.
🚶 This visit is not barrier-free.
🕑 Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Westend
The area of the Westend was used in former times for farming until it changed into a noble residential area. It was largely spared the carpet bombing during Word War II, so you still find impressive architecture of the end of the 19th century. Important institutions such as the Westend Synagogue or the Campus Westend are located there. Famous people like Heinrich Hoffmann, Alois Alzheimer and Paul Ehrlich spent part of their lives in this residential neighbourhood. In the 1970s this area was supposed to undergo a drastic change; because of a rising number of jobs in the tertiary sector the urban planning office had intended to set up numerous office blocks, which would have changed the district entirely. In the end this was prevented by a citizens´initiative.
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♿ Barrier-free walking tour
🕑 Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
New Frankfurt Old Town
This term describes the quarter to the west of the Imperial Cathedral that was destroyed in march 1944. Lately an ambitious project was realized: following an architectural competition at the European level this area was rebuilt according to historical plans. All in all 35 buildings were erected giving an idea of live in ancient times. The reconstructed house „Golden scale“, the former guild house of the butchers and picturesque alleys are real highlights.
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♿ Barrier-free walking tour
🕑 Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
THEME TOURS
Criminal cases
The Nitribitt case is well-known everywhere. It is (unfortunately) however not the only criminal offence that happened in Frankfurt. During the walking tour you will pass by several scenes of crime, the perpetrators of which were sent to prison or condemned to death. You will also get information on places of execution and detention centres.
To refer to Hitchcock: Criminal offences are to be condemned and they may not be worthwhile, but they are nevertheless entertaining!
♿ Barrier-free walking tour
🕑 Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Women in Frankfurt
Also in Frankfurt women have contributed to a great extent to the city´s development. They were active in the cultural sector, in politcs, fine arts, medicine and architecture. It is more than worthwhile paying attention to the female side of history. Get information on the woman who was honoured by Linné (he named a moth after her) or on the woman who facilitated work in the kitchen. By the way this tour is not only interesting for women!
♿ Barrier-free walking tour
🕑 Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Trade fair and financial centre
Frankfurt = Bankfurt, bull and bear... there are only few places that illustrate in such a manner that money makes the world go round. Very early Frankfurt became a business centre: Frankfurt was the crossing point of international trade routes, where merchants from all over the world met. They did not only sell their products but also changed foreign currencies. That´s why Frankfurt has already in earliest times become an international financial centre. Frankfurt is home to the German Federal Reserve (Bundesbank), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the leading German stock exchange. The Messe Frankfurt is one of the largest trade fair, congress and event organizers with its own exhibition ground.
♿ Barrier-free walking tour
🕑 Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Campus Westend (former IG-Farben)
The building of the former company IG-Farben by Hans Poelzig illustrates a chapter of German political and economic history. From 1933 on the company IG-Farben got involved into the Nazi regime. After Word War II the complex became the headquarter of the US military government, important decisions were taken here, why it was referred to as „Pentagon of Europe“. In the course of the reunification of Germany the V. Corps of the US army left. Following renovation work the Goethe University moved in, since then the campus has been extended to house humanities.
🚶 This visit is not barrier-free.
🕑 Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Frankfurt Highlights
Looking back to more than 1200 years in history there are a lot of sites in Frankfurt referring to important events in the past, so e. g. the Imperial Cathedral, the excavation site „Kaiserpfalz Franconofurd“, Goethe´s house and St. Paul`s Church. The highrise architecture of the city is – at least according to German standards – impressive. About 60 museums and various theatres – among them the opera that was frequently awarded the title „opera of the year“ - contribute to cultural life. Discover the highlights during a walk through the city.
♿ Barrier-free walking tour
🕑 Duration: approx. 1.5 hours