Roman Forum

Roman Forum

Introduction The Roman Forum is the center of Frankfurt’s Old Town. Originally, it served as the city's marketplace. By the Middle Ages, it had become the largest square in the city. The name of the square comes from three connected Gothic buildings to the west of the square called Römer (Roman Hall), the most distinctive feature of which are the gabled roofs. Today, it serves as Frankfurt’s city hall. The second floor of the building houses the Kaisersaal (Emperor’s Hall), where coronation ceremonies of the Holy Roman Emperors were held. The walls of the hall are adorned with portraits of 52 emperors, from Charlemagne to Franz II. The former coronation banquet hall is now a reception hall and also the place where the German national football team is celebrated upon their triumphant return, drawing crowds of fans. On the second-floor balcony decorated with crests, the players of the German national team are welcomed by the public.

　 In the center of the square, facing the city hall, stands the Fountain of Justice, featuring a statue of the goddess of justice holding a scale that symbolizes fairness. The statue was erected in 1611 and was originally made of sandstone; it was replaced with a bronze version in 1887. The fountain below used to spout red and white wine during coronation ceremonies for the citizens to share.

Next to the square is St. Nicholas Church, built before 1290, which once served as a court church. During the Middle Ages, a trumpeter would play from the church tower’s belfry to greet arriving ships on the river. Each year, a tall Christmas tree is erected in the square before Christmas, and a Christmas market is set up, with numerous stalls selling Christmas gifts and snacks.

St. Bartholomew's Cathedral (Dom-St. Bartholomäus), a towering Gothic church, can be seen east of the square. Also known as the Dom or Kaiserdom (Emperor’s Cathedral), it has a history of 600 years dating back to the 14th century and has survived several wars. Between 1562 and 1792, coronation ceremonies of the Holy Roman Empire were held here, and the church’s treasury displays the magnificent robes worn by archbishops during the coronations. Transportation

Take the metro to the Römer station.

Frankfurt, Germany