Frankfurt is famous in Germany because of its tall buildings and historical museums. There are many great attractions and tons of things to do, such as food tours or museum tours, which will teach you facts about Frankfurt.
The city also offers you many rich, historical German facts. If you’re interested in learning more, we’d love to share what we’ve dug up.
Historical Facts About Frankfurt
Goethe Was Born In This City
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was one of the best German writers and deserves mention in any good list of Frankfurt facts. His childhood home can be found in Frankfurt.
Known as the Frankfurt Goethe-Museum and Goethe-House, it is one of the best German landmarks where you can learn about the writer’s life more intimately. You can also engage in a puppet theater that Goethe used to play with in his childhood.
There Are Two Frankfurts In Germany
Frankfurt Am Main is the Frankfurt that most people refer to because it is a much larger city, and our post mostly covers fun facts about Frankfurt Am Main.
But, there is also a second city called Frankfurt Oder. It is much smaller, with a population of around 60,000. Since the 14th century, Germans have used “Am Main” to distinguish the larger and more populous Frankfurt from the smaller one.
Frankfurt Is The Birthplace Of The Printing Press
Johannes Gutenberg was a famous craftsman who invented letterpress printing and introduced it to the world. In honour of his innovative contribution, a memorial in Frankfurt has been dedicated to him.
You can learn all about this talented German inventor at his memorial site. A university in Mainz, another city in Germany, has also been named after him.
Cultural Facts About Frankfurt
The City Has An Inner Forest
The Frankfurt City Forest is one of the important landmarks in Frankfurt because it protects the city. It is also the largest inner forest in Germany that offers a safe space to people for running, cycling, and other outdoor activities.
A vast network of trails stretching for about 450 kilometers makes this inner forest a truly beautiful place with much to explore. You can hire a guide to explore its trails and learn more Frankfurt facts. Or, visit by yourself if you’re feeling especially adventurous.
Frankfurter Würstchen Is One Of The City’s Main Dishes
German food is famous in many countries for its unique dishes. One such dish is frankfurter würstchen, which is made using sheep’s intestines. It is often served with mashed potatoes.
Best of all, you can enjoy this parboiled sausage at just about every restaurant in Frankfurt. It is also offered by countless street vendors.
Simple Facts About Frankfurt For Kids
Frankfurt Is Credited For The Invention Of Hot Dogs
The invention of hot dogs is an interesting yet debated topic for many food lovers. Some point to Vienna where the weiner comes from, while others say its origins can be traced back to the frankfurter.
When German immigrants came to America, they brought their sausage-making traditions with them. It is believed that these German butchers in New York modified the classic Frankfurt sausage by putting it in bread or a bun for convenient eating. Over time, this popular sandwich came to be known by the nickname “hot dog” and became an American classic street food.
The World’s Largest Book Fair Takes Place In Frankfurt
If you’re a book lover, then you’ll definitely appreciate these interesting facts about Frankfurt. The city has the highest number of publishing companies represented in its annual book fair. The event is also the world’s largest fair for print and digital content.
The Frankfurt Book Fair is mainly held for five days in the middle of October. The first three days are for trade visitors. Locals and tourists are allowed to enter the venue during the last two days.
Useful Frankfurt Facts For Travelers
The Vast Majority of Germany’s Skyscrapers Are In This City
There are only 20 skyscrapers in all of Germany. One of the fun facts about Frankfurt is that it contains 19 of these tall buildings. These skyscrapers are major tourist attractions in the city.
The Commerzbank Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Frankfurt Am Main. It has 56 stories and a height of 259 meters.
Frankfurt Central Station Is A Work Of Art
You can learn many Frankfurt facts when you visit this architectural marvel. A statue at this central station’s main entrance is a main draw for tourists to the city. The work of art shows Atlas carrying the Earth on his shoulders.
Alte Oper Was Bombed During World War II
Alte Oper is a concert hall in Frankfurt that was mostly destroyed due to bombings in 1944. Rebuilding efforts were started in the 1970s and completed in the 1980s. It was first built way back in 1880 and featured many important theater performances.
Discovering More Fun Facts About Frankfurt
These are the 10 best Frankfurt facts we were able to dig up, but there’s still lots more you can learn. The city has a rich history that you can discover through its various monuments and other buildings.