Cheap Tickets to Frankfurt
Frankfurt , is Germany’s economic and financial capital. It might not be the first city you think of for a visit because it is mainly known as a business city. But it’s definitely worth of visiting, as Frankfurt is a city in which there is a lot to explore and discover.
Interesting facts about Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the fifth largest city of Germany , also known as ‘Mainhattan’ , since it is located along the river Maine and has some striking skyscrapers. For a good view over the city, you can go up to the 55th floor of the Main Tower, which is the ‘Frankfurt’s highest vantage point.’ The tallest one is the Commerzbank tower which is 260 meters.
2. The city’s name comes from Emperor Charlemagne who referred to the settlement as “Franconovud”, or “Ford of the Franks”, in 794 when he built himself a royal council there. Before Charlemagne, settlements had apparently already existed in the area for hundreds of years, as the Romans built a town there along the nearby Roman Road.
3. During WWII, almost all the male employees of the zoo were conscripted, including the director Dr Steinbacher. The zoo’s animals had to remain in their enclosures throughout the war but staff sheltered in a small bunker under the pond so they could take care of the animals immediately after any bombing. In 1944, 27 bombs destroyed almost all the zoo buildings , which allowed the animals to escape and wander the streets. The escaped animals including some lions, sadly had to be killed to protect the public from harm.
4. Goethe was born in Frankfurt. The giant of German literature was born in 1749 and spent his early life here, returning many times throughout his lifetime. Although he spent his final days in Weimar, many of his greatest works were written in Frankfurt, including perhaps his most popular novel, ” The sorrows of young Werther” , written in 1774.
5. Frankfurt boasts the largest inner-city forest in Germany.
Stadtwald Frankfurt (Frankfurt city forest) is the largest city forest in the country, making Frankfurt one of Germany’s most wooded urban areas. The 5,000-hectare forest was once part of the vast Imperial Forest until the city purchased the woods from Kaiser Karl IV in 1372. It’s now one of the city’s most beloved assets, popular with runners, walkers and cyclists making use of the impressive 450-km network of trails.
6. Frankfurt is home to the world’s largest book fair.
The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world’s largest trade fair for books. Widely considered to be the most important book fair in the world for deals and trading, it’s the largest fair based on both the number of visitors and the number of publishing companies represented. The five-day event takes place in mid-October at the Frankfurt Trade Fair. The public can usually attend the final two days of the fair at the weekend. Thousands of exhibitors attend from across the world to negotiate publishing rights, license fees and deals. On average, nearly 300,000 people take part every year and more than 7,300 exhibitors attend.
7. Frankfurt has a rich cultural scene.
The city is home to numerous museums, theaters and galleries, showcasing a wide range of art and cultural exhibitions.
8. The Zeil is one of Germany’s most famous shopping streets.
Located in the heart of Frankfurt, the Zeil offers a wide range of shops, department stores, and boutiques.
9. The Frankfurt Cathedral is a must visit attraction.
This impressive Gothic cathedral dates back to the 14th century and is an iconic landmark of the city.
10. The Opera House was a beautiful ruin. During World War II, the city was bombarded heavily and lay in ruin. One of the casualties as far as buildings were concerned, was the Opera House. That was nicknamed Germany’s Most Beautiful Ruin for decades until it was restored in 1981.
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