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Tourist Information about Frankfurt
Frankfurt or Frankfurt am Main (Frankfurt on Main) is the fifth biggest city of Germany, located in the middle of the bustling Rhine-Main region. It has been an important commercial and financial center since the Middle Ages. Today, it has become the financial core of Germany as well as the European Union (EU). There have been settlements at the place where the Main River could be easily crossed or forded. The name Frankfurt, or ford of the Franks, dates back to the time when the Franks occupied the river crossing. The settlement was soon expanded from as island in the river to the north bank. It eventually developed into an important trade center, attracting merchants from different parts of Europe. It became a free imperial city in 1372. It was frequently overrun by foreign invaders but was able to regain its status as a free city. Frankfurt was also the place of coronation of the elected German kings and Holy Roman Emperors from 1562 until 1792. The city was the unofficial capital of the loosely organized Confederation of German states between 1815 and 1866. The choice of Bonn, however, as the capital of the Federal Republic in 1949, did not hinder in any way its efforts to maintain its undisputed financial role. Some locals have come to refer to the city as " Mainhattan " because of its high-rise buildings which reminds one of Manhattan. The modern buildings of banks and corporations in the principal business district are strong signs of Frankfurt's economic influence and strength. |
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