Frankfurt History, Germany

Initially, Frankfurt was located on the higher region of the Main valley, where an important Roman road used to pass by, representing a proof of the Roman domination over the town. However, in 259/260 the Romans retreated from this place, thus giving way for the authentic German history to begin.

The name of Frankfurt comes from the noun “Franconvourt”, meaning the City of Franks. The first officials made reference to this name in 794, when Charlemagne hold a clerical council here. The importance of its many visitors showed that the city was already a famous place; that is why the nobles were constantly interested in its renovation and construction.

Thus, with the passage of time, Frankfurt became the capital and the center of power of East Francia and important meetings and councils were being held here.

Frankfurt, History- middle ages

With the beginning of the 16th century, culture, education, arts and commerce started to flourish here. However, as every city in evolution, all kind of tensions rose between the guild and the patricians which led eventually to the Fettmilch Rebellion, determining the emperor to intervene to calm down the situation.

In the 17th century, Frankfurt was already a prosperous free imperial region, even if the diseases that were ravaging Europe, didn’t avoid this city. It went through all kind of changes from reconstruction of the town to the reestablishment of its old rights, that of becoming the seat of the parliament of Germany.

The 19th century met a festive Frankfurt, celebrating the end of the Revolutions of 1848. The day of 18th May 1848 should be mentioned, as it is the moment when the National Assembly was held for the first time here, turning the city into the center of political life in Germany. Several years later, as a result of the defeat in the Austro-Prussian War, Frankfurt was occupied by the Prussia, becoming a part of the province of Hesse-Nassau.

Frankfurt, History- recent period

During World War Two, a big part of the town was destroyed, because of the bombing raids, killing a large number of its population. In the post-war period, the reconstruction of the historical part of the city began, keeping however the old road system. The city felt prepared thus to candidate for the capital of the West German Federation. Even if it didn’t win the elections, leaving to Bonn the privilege to play this role, Frankfurt reoriented itself, becoming one of the most important international metropolis of the country. Its past only helped this beautiful city to become what it is today, as well as Berlin History or Cologne History represents an evolution towards the amazing cities they came to be.

email to a friendAsk our travel experts a question about Frankfurt
ask now

Things about Frankfurt you may be interested in

• Frankfurt Reviews

 

+ list your site

 

ReviewsTravel TipsWrite a reviewWrite a travel tip

 

 

Read our members' reviews about Frankfurt

• About Frankfurt International Airport
  review by stef posted more then 30 days ago
  We headed from the Frankfurt Airport to Crete. Departure was quite early in the morning, at 5:45 am, so we had to start from home at 1:00 am. We stayed in Ravensburg, which is 300 kmaway from Frankfurt. Given that airport parking is very expensive in Frankfurt (150,- EUR for a week) I reserved a...

view all

 

Read our members' travel tips about Frankfurt

No travel tips have been added yet for this category. Be the first to add a new one.

 

 

Community

Members Who Have Been to Frankfurt

See who has been to Frankfurt and ask them a question (membership required)

MadSuh ask a question add to friends

jmcameron ask a question add to friends

Viktosha ask a question add to friends

JackRussel ask a question add to friends

 

show all

 

Community Galleries About Frankfurt

Browse our members' Frankfurt galleries to get a better impression of the place

view gallery

view gallery

view gallery

 

show alladd gallery

 

 

the best travel deals provided by TravelZoo...