NoFilter Frankfurt

I had always known Frankfurt as the ‘layover city’ or a hub for connecting flights.Perhaps, many of you might also have felt the same way. On one occasion, I got the opportunity to meet a friend at Frankfurt airport and then took the time to go around a bit.

At that point, I was living in Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, the birthplace of Beethoven and the UN Headquarters in Germany. Looking at the skyscrapers looming over the city of Frankfurt reminded me of other big cities in India and elsewhere, and amusingly,made me realize how much I had started liking smaller and quieter places after moving to Bonn.

Anyhow, before travelling to Frankfurt, I had looked up on the internet to decide upon a few places I could visit, and was very interested in visiting Goethe’s birthplace, and of course going up the Tower to get a panoramic view of the city.

It wasn’t until one year later that I got hold of Mark Twain’s A Tramp Abroad, and was so surprised to know of various stories and legends connected with the area as well as rest of Western Europe. Now, being a lover of stories,myths and legends, I often find myself digging deeper into history and culture, (I have also started my #Mythical Mondays series a few months ago) and after reading up about Frankfurt, I have already made up my mind to re-visit the city and explore it with a fresh perspective.

So, when I came to know about the #NoFilter Frankfurt project, organized by London City Airport, I thought of taking the opportunity to put up a few unfiltered pictures I have of the city, and also tell you a bit about the interesting stories connected with it! The aim of this project is to break the stereotype of the banking and business image of the city and showcase some of the lesser known aspects as well as unfiltered images from there. So, let’s get started!

From what I read in the book, there is a history behind how Frankfurt got its name. Charlemagne, the King of the Franks, who reigned in the Middle Ages, is supposed to have set the foundations for modern France and Germany, and ruled over quite a huge portion of Western Europe.At one time, he was fighting against the Saxons,and alongwith his army,reached the banks of a river early morning,amidst the fog. It was difficult to make out where it would be easier to cross over,and after a while, he happened to spot a deer with its fawn, in the vicinity. He watched her wade over a shallow region, and commanded his army to proceed in that direction. It worked in their favour and the Frankish army celebrated a victory. To commemorate the incident, Charlemagne decided to build a city right there, and named it Frankfort – the ford of the Franks. I am not sure if this is accurate information, but this seems to be a probable explanation, from what I’ve seen.

Frankfurt is located along the river Main, and is officially known as ‘Frankfurt am Main’.Today, it is the fifth largest city of Germany.

It took about 7 years to build the Central railway station,and it was opened in 1888. You can spot a large clock at the entrance. Interestingly, it is flanked by two statues, symbolizing night and day.Also,do you notice the statue on top of the building?It is said to be Atlas, carrying the world.Here, he is supposed to be assisted by two  figures representing Iron and Steam.

Frankfurt is also said to be the city where Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, lived. A sculpture dedicated to him,two of his main donors and the four cities that started printing early, can be seen in the centre of the city, at Rossmarkt. The first four printing locations are supposed to be Mainz, Venice, Strasbourg and Frankfurt.

I wanted to get to Goethe House and the Main Tower, but was somehow confused with the directions and kept on wandering around the city. While doing so, I came across a church and saw a lot of people there. Ofcourse, it was Good Friday, I remembered!And then, I suspended my search for Goethe’s birthplace for a while and was glad to be a part of Easter celebrations.

I was so pleased when I finally spotted Goethe Haus from a distance. Goethe was a highly distinguished writer and statesman in Germany,and his family lived in a huge house in Frankfurt. Before coming to Germany, I had taken German classes at a Goethe Institute (branches located all over the world) and was a bit more curious to know more about his life.

He is supposed to have been born in this very house and spent a long time here,also writing some of his popular works while he was still in the city. He liked collecting paintings done by contemporary artists, and exhibited them in his house, each framed in black and gold.Both, Goethe and his father, were very fond of books and collected over 2000 books covering various subjects, in their library.

Frankfurt is such a city of contrasts, I feel. On one hand, you have all the skyscrapers,banks and financial institutions, and on the other, you have history,old architecture,plentiful museums and parks. Infact, the next time I visit Frankfurt, I want to explore the different neighborhoods , visit the wineries outside the city, spend time along the river, try to retrace the locations of historical events and stories.Oh, and yes, I would really like to learn more about the Grimm Brothers and see from where they drew inspiration for all their fairy tales! They were not from Frankfurt, but from a town very close to it.

What about you?Did you ever get a chance to explore Frankfurt and its surroundings?

P.S: Frankfurt is a very multicultural city and I loved the amount and variety of food available all along the main streets!That is also something I would certainly do again in the city:gorge on delicious food.

 

 

 

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