In 2017, I had the chance to explore Europe. A fifteen-hour layover in Frankfurt meant a tour of the Altstadt, the city’s
Old Town. Enamoured is an understatement to describe how I felt the first time I saw centuries-old buildings. The history student in me was enlivened with all these
structures standing side by side. Of
course, the seat of the Holy Roman Empire has a hundred and one and more stories
to tell that my short stay is not enough... Frankfurt has many churches, Roman Catholic and Lutheran alike, and my walking tour from Alstadt to Sachsenhausen
(via Eiserner Steg – the Iron Footbridge) took me to these churches.
Deutschordenskirche (Church of the Teutonic Order)
A hospital in 1182 originally stood in the grounds of the
Deutschordenskirche. Taken over by the Teutonic Order in 1221, a Gothic
aise-less church was constructed in 1309. High Gothic mural paintings depicting
the stations of the cross and scenes of the crucifixion were created in the
1340s. The Baroque facade with axial portal was later added in the mid-18th century.
The interior was transformed into the neo-Gothic style between 1881-1893.
The spire, which was damaged following the bombings during World War II, was
rebuilt in 1960.
Dreikonigskirche (Church of the Three Kings)
This Protestant parish church was once the site of a Gothic chapel until it was demolished in the 1870s to give way to a Neo-Gothic
church. A five-bay, vaulted main naive
extended in the middle side naves with impressive stone galleries. Stain glass
window by Charles Crodel was installed in 1956, while a new organ was installed
by organ marker Karl Schuke in 1961.
Liebfrauenkirche
This Roman Catholic Parish church and minster was built in
1344. the belfry was erected more than a century after, between 1453 and 1478. In the mid-18th century,
the church tower was heightened in the baroque style with the interiors in the
rococo decoration. The Capuchin Brothers took over the church in 1917. Severely
damaged during World War II, reconstruction commenced in 1948.
Alte Nikolaikirche (Old St. Nicholas Church)
Located at the heart of the Altstadt, the Old St. Nicholas
Church is known for its 51 bells, 4 of
which are used for peals, the rest for carillons. A Catholic church once stood
here until the mid-15th century, when the present structure was erected. The
Alte Nikolaikirche is the only structure
in Romerberg that survived intact after the bombing of Frankfurt during World
War II.
Paulskirche (St. Paul Church)
An old Gothic church once stood here until demolished to
give way to the present structure. In
1848, the first democratically elected German National Assembly met here, where
they adopted the first German constitution.
Presently a United Protestant church, Paulskirche began as a Lutheran church in 1789.
Frankfurter Dom
For over a millenium, Holy Roman Emperors were crowned in
this Gothic structure with its tower overlooking an impressive view. Frankfurter Dom also served as the meeting
place of some of the most powerful German princes long before Germany was born
as a nation.
If ever you decide to explore Frankfurt, don't forget to visit these storied churches to get a feel of the faith and culture of the people.
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