If you think of sights in Frankfurt, the Römerberg probably always comes to mind first. No wonder, since countless groups of tourists pass through here every day, making the fountain with the Justitia one of the most photographed motifs in the city - along with the skyline and the Euro sign in front of the former headquarters of the ECB. No wonder, since this is where emperors have been crowned, important political decisions have been made, trade fairs have been held, lavish parties have been celebrated or radiant football heroes have been welcomed.
The Römer has been the town hall of the city of Frankfurt am Main for over 600 years and, with its characteristic three-gabled front, is one of its landmarks. Three former patrician houses from the 14th century form the striking facade of the Römer with their Gothic three-gable front. The council of the city of Frankfurt acquired them in 1405 and rebuilt the trio with eight other patrician houses into the representative town hall.
In the central building are the merchant and trade fair halls used until 1846, above which rises the Kaisersaal with the 52 images of the emperors.
The Römer was badly destroyed during World War II and rebuilt after the war, though not true to the original.
The facade has been renewed twice in recent decades. In 1974 and 2005, it largely regained its neo-Gothic appearance of 1900.
Like the neo-Gothic facade, the balcony was added after the 1900 reconstruction. The balcony is used today, as it was then, as a prestigious stage for state visits and the like.
Today, the Römer is the seat of the City Council and the Lord Mayor.
Several offices, including the registry office, are also housed here. Getting married in the historic town hall is back in.
The Römerberg, as the centre of the old town, enjoyed the reputation in the 16th century of being the most beautiful square in the Holy Roman Empire of German nations.
The history of the square, which was first called simply Berg or Samstagsberg, can be traced back to the Hohenstaufen period.
The square received its present name in the 15th cent, when the council acquired the Römer House and converted it into the new town hall.
Römerberg's heyday was in the late Middle Ages and early modern times, when it was the site of Frankfurt's important fairs as well as the elections and coronations of German kings.
In one night of bombing during the Second World War, the entire old town with its more than 2000 half-timbered houses and the Römerberg sank into rubble. Only the Wertheim House at the Fahrtor was spared. After the end of the war, the Römerberg was restored.
On the west side of the Römerberg stands Frankfurt's historic town hall, the Römer. In the middle of the square stands the Justitiabrunnen.
The south side is dominated by the early Gothic Old Nikolai Church and the modern entrance building of the Historical Museum with the statue of Emperor Charlemagne.
The row of houses on the east side of the square is a replica of the historical models built between 1981 and 1984
The Alte Nikolaikirche, originally built as the royal court church, was the centre of the city's alms care in the 15th century, and then the council church.
Today, the Alte Nikolaikirche is the oldest Protestant parish church in the Main metropolis.
On the most important church festivals, it takes part in the Great City Ringing.
Since the Middle Ages, the "Gudd Stubb", as the people of Frankfurt affectionately call their Römerberg, has been the stage for important events. During imperial coronations, a large public festival was held on the square.
Since the 20th century, the Römerberg has been the venue for numerous major events, among others.
From 1932 to 1939, the internationally renowned Römerberg Festival was held here every summer.
On June 25, 1963, U.S. President John F. Kennedy addressed 150,000 people.
Since the seventies, large demonstrations and victory celebrations of successful sports teams have also been held on Römerberg.
For example, the men's national football team celebrated their successes here at the 1990 World Cup, the 1996 European Championships and the 2002 World Cup, and the women's national football team celebrated their successes at the 2003 World Cup and the 2007 World Cup.
And the kickers of the 1st FFC Frankfurt, the Frankfurt Eintracht and the FSV Frankfurt also showed themselves to their fans here.
A highlight since 2002 has been the finish of the "ironmen/women" at the Ironman Frankfurt.
Music events and folk festivals, such as the Mainfest or the Stöffchefest, also take place here, and one of the most beautiful and largest Christmas markets in Germany attracts numerous visitors every year.
<link http: www.frankfurt.de sixcms _blank>More about the history of the Roman and interesting interior views can be found HERE
Text from: Frankfurt-Tipp.de
