Cultural sites in Frankfurt

Römer

For more than 6 centuries, Frankfurt’s destiny has been directed from the patrician houses on the Römerberg. Like most of her predecessors, the municipal leader lives above the Schwanenhalle, with a view of St. Paul’s Church. The Römer is where the city councillors meet. Many offices reside here, and the civil registry office guarantees a wonderful ambience for weddings. In 1405, the city council purchased the buildings at the Römer from the merchant Kunz for “800 guldens of good Frankfurt currency in cash”. Over the years, nine buildings and several inner courtyards have been added to form the present-day Römer complex.

Römerberg

The Römer’s silhouette is world-famous and unmistakably belongs to Frankfurt. The city’s government has been located here since the 15th century, and it gave its name to the square. Since the 9th century, the Römerberg, formerly called the Samstagsberg, has been the site of markets and fairs, tournaments and festivals, executions and imperial elections and coronations. In the 16th century it was considered the most beautiful square in the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. It is from this era that the fountain of justice in the middle of the square also originates. Adorned with a statue of Justice with unbound eyes, a scale and sword, this was the first fountain in Frankfurt. A few steps away from the fountain there is a plaque in the cobblestones that commemorates the book burning by the National Socialists in 1933.

Imperial Cathedral

Strictly speaking, it is not a cathedral at all, since it was never a bishop’s church. Nonetheless, the Gothic St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral is one of the few to receive the designation “Imperial Cathedral” (Kaiserdom). From 1356 onwards, according to the Golden Bull of Charles the IVth, kings were elected here. Between 1562 and 1792 ten monarchs were crowned emperor here in front of the coronation altar.

The present-day church is the fifth structure known to have existed at this location. Following a Merovingian chapel that originated in 680 and a Carolingian single-vessel hall church, in 852 the Salvator Basilica of the Carolingian imperial palace was built. The Late Romanesque Bartholomew’s choir was consecrated in 1239, named for the apostle Bartholomew, whose skullcap is venerated as the cathedral’s most important relic. Construction and expansion of the still-extant Gothic nave and the aisles began in 1260. The representative west tower was built in 1415. In 1867, the cathedral fell victim to a major fire. Franz Joseph Denzinger led its Neo-Gothic restoration. Only then did the tower receive its spire according to plans drawn up by cathedral master builder Madern Gerthener in 1415, rising 95 metres into

St. Paul’s Church

Dignified gentlemen file solemnly into St. Paul’s Church (Paulskirche). This is how contemporary images show the first elected officials in the year 1848. St. Paul’s Church was first consecrated in 1833 as the main Evangelical Lutheran church in the city of Frankfurt am Main. The elliptical central building made from red sandstone was Frankfurt’s largest and most modern hall, and offered itself as the meeting place for the first all-German Parliament. Here the National Assembly created the first democratic constitution for Germany. Even after the dissolution of the Parliament, St. Paul’s Church was the site of national memorial celebrations. St. Paul’s Church officially became a memorial site in 1913 during the centennial celebration to commemorate the Napoleonic Wars. In 1944, St. Paul’s Church was completely destroyed. Its reconstruction began shortly after the end of the war. It was consecrated on 18 May 1948 on the occasion of the centennial celebration of the German National Assembly. Since then it has served exclusively as a place to remember the beginnings of German democracy.

Old Opera House

Pull down or rebuild: For years the fate of ‘Germany’s most beautiful ruin’ was under discussion. But the people of Frankfurt provided an example of civic appreciation and on how to deal with historical heritage. Thanks to civic protests and generous donations the representative building from the Wilhelminian era, which had been bombed down to its foundation walls, was faithfully rebuilt to the original. On 28th August 1981, the inauguration of the Old Opera House was celebrated.

Since then, around 300 concerts and events a year have been attracting many visitors to its halls. The season starts with the ‘Auftakt’ festival for contemporary music. Throughout the year, evening for evening, there are then performances of national and international ensembles and soloists in the Great Hall (2450 seats), famed for its excellent acoustics and fitted out in mahogany. The Mozart Hall (720 seats) is available as an additional stage. Symphony and chamber concerts, song evenings, old and modern music are part of the programme. The public can make its choice from subscription series, from early baroque to avant-garde, from ‘heitere Muse’ to ‘ensemble modern’. Family concerts, musicals, jazz, rock and pop complete the high-quality range of concerts on offer.

Boat tours

Travelling along the impressive skyline on an excursion boat or going on a boat cruise to interesting towns and cities on the Main and the Rhine – Frankfurt offers numerous options for little ‘cruises’ and big tours. Only a few steps away from the Römer, directly on the Main quay at the Eiserner Steg, there is the main landing stage and the ticket kiosk of the Primus Line. You can set off on various excursions from this and other landing stages on the bank. During a tour, the boat heads for either the Offenbach or the Griesheim locks, offering a splendid view of the Frankfurt silhouette. On day trips, the boat goes up the Main to Seligenstadt and Aschaffenburg or down the Main to its mouth and then on the Rhine to cities and towns such as Mainz, Eltville and Rüdesheim. The RMW combined ticket, that permits a return journey using any RMW means of transport, is particularly attractive.

Museum riverbank

The Frankfurt museum riverbank is one of the most important locations for museums in Germany and Europe. Through this unique cultural experience on both sides of the Main, the city enjoys an excellent reputation among art lovers. On the southern bank side alone, nine exhibition buildings are lined up one after the other like a string of pearls. From west to east, these are the renowned museums:

Old Sachsenhausen

In the narrow cobblestone lanes and small squares with frame houses and fountains, visitors to Frankfurt feel like they have been transported back in time. In the large and small Rittergasse, in Paradiesgasse and Klappergasse “Epelwoi pubs” are lined up one after another in Old Sachsenhausen (Alt-Sachsenhausen). On long benches on wooden tables visitors drink their “Stöffche” from “Gerippten” – apple wine from ribbed apple wine glasses. There are also Frankfurt specialities such as beef with green sauce (Grüne Soße), hand cheese (Handkäs), or a takeaway pretzel from the pretzel man.

Main Tower

When the Main Tower was completed in 1999, even the people of Frankfurt, who are spoilt by the city’s skyline, were impressed. A high-rise building with a façade made entirely of glass was built for the first time in Europe. In fact, the Main Tower consists of two high-rise buildings that are interlinked with one another. One is square, 170 metres high and the other is a round building 199.5 metres high with non-reflective glass. For the statics of the Main Tower, 112 bored piles (diameter 120 to 180 cm) are set 50 metres deep in the ground. The base section integrates the listed façade of the predecessor building, thus creating a link between the past and present.

This high-rise building is particularly popular with the people of Frankfurt and tourists. It is the only one in the city that has a publicly accessible viewing platform with restaurant. Furthermore, Europe’s highest radio and television studio is located on its 53rd/54th floor.

Cultural sites in Munich

The BMW Museum

The BMW Museum is one of the most popular company museums in Germany. And of all the companies sights in Munich, only the Deutsches Museum and the Neue Pinakothek (New Gallery) attract more visitors. Each year some 250,000 people from all over the world come the BMW Museum - a story of success for which there are good reasons, because the BMW Museum does not just present the history of BMW and the engines, motorcycles and automobiles manufactured by the company in the course of its first 75 years. Rather, the BMW Museum achieves an entirely different goal. It enables its visitors to marvel at the horizons of transport technology through the eyes of five generations. From the early days at the beginning of this century and into the next millenium. Horizons which show the development of ideas, dreams, philosophies, work, society and the individual mobility made possible by technology. In this way the BMW Museum possibly makes it a bit easier to understand the present as the future of our past and as the past of our future.

Olympiaturm - Olympic Tower

The Olympic tower was built for the Olympic games in 1973, along with the rest of the Olympic Park. At 951 feet high, it is Germany's highest television tower. It has a revolving restaurant at the top, and offers spectacular views. Definitely worth a visit.

Karlstor Stachus

This is another of the town gates and dates from the 14th century. Incorporated at the end of the 18th century into the square known as "Stachus" (officially Karlsplatz). Today it marks one end of Munich's primary pedestrian zone. Beyond the gate is a large fountain which is turned on during the Summer.

Isartor - Isar Gate

Munich was originally surrounded by a wall, which had four gates built into it. This is the most easterly of Munich's three remaining town gates and dates from the 14th century. Careful restoration has recreated the dimensions and appearance of the original structure. The Isar Gate accommodates the Valentin Museum.

Altes Rathaus - old Town Hall

This is the most easterly building on Marienplatz square. It has a Gothic council hall and ballroom and the adjoining town hall tower has been reconstructed.

Rathaus - the new Town Hall

Built from 1867 - 1909 in Flanders Gothic style this is one of the most famous buidlings in Munich; its facade, over 300 feet in length, features strikingly elaborate stone ornamentation. Its 260-foot tower with carillon is, with St. Peter's Church and the twin towers of the Cathedral, one of the most distinctive features of the city's skyline.

Frauenkirche - Cathedral Church of Our Lady

This is the Metropolitan Church of the Archbishop of Munich-Freising and is a landmark for the city of Munich. It has a late Gothic nave from the 15th century, interior with works of art spanning 5 centuries.

Marienplatz

Named after the column of the Virgin Mary at its center the Marienplatz is one of the most famous part of Munich is also considered to be the centre of Munich. The town hall is dominates it and it makes an excellent place to start your explorations.

Karlsplatz 

Otherwise known as Stacchus, Karlsplatz houses one of the inner city gates, it's walkable from the central railway station, and makes a good start point to walk down to the Marienplatz.

Cultural sites in Zurich

Most of Zürich's sights lie within the compact area either side of the River Limmat, between the Hauptbahnhof and Lake Zürich. The churches and burgher houses of the Old Town are clustered here, as are the elegant shops along Bahnhofstrasse. The Baroque Rathaus (Town Hall) and Zürich's most impressive churches – the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and the city's oldest, St Peterskirche (its clock face is the largest in Europe) – all lie within a short distance of the River Limmat, near to where it opens onto the lake.

Grossmünster

As Zürich's most imposing landmark, the Grossmünster takes centre-stage on the Limmat's east bank, in the area known as the Niederdorf. The building's lofty twin towers, which dominate the skyline and small-scale architecture of the surrounding area, are in stark contrast to the cathedral's lack of decorative grandeur and (relatively) diminutive interior dimensions. It was, of course, Huldrych Zwingli, the 16th-century reformist preacher who ensured the Grossmünster - or Great Minster – was free of ostentation. Seen by many as the "bürgermeister, secretary, and council" of Zürich in one, he was the most "liberal" of all the Reformers and a key figure in the running of the city (being responsible for its transformation from a sparsely populated community into a renowned religious centre for European theologians).

Roman Baths

For a taste of Swiss history, be prepared to step back in time when you visit Zurich's ancient Roman Baths, which are known to originate almost 2,000 years ago. However, despite their considerable age, there were only discovered relatively recently, in the 1980s. The site can only be viewed from a distance, although visitors will immediately be able to appreciate the full scale and beauty of these remains.

Sprüngli Chocolate Factory

Throughout the world, Switzerland has become famous for its delicious chocolate and tourists visiting the factory of local chocolatier Sprüngli, in the suburb of Kilchberg, will not only be able to learn a little more about the origins of this chocolate, but be able to sample it as well. A chocolate shop is available for those wishing to purchase a sweet souvenir as a memory of the visit, that is, until is gets eaten soon after!

City Beach Resorts

Located alongside Lake Zurich itself, the Strandbad Mythenquai resort comprises a long stretch of sandy beach which is always popular during the sunny, summer months, when crowds come here to worship the Swiss sunshine. Complete with a diving platform, children's playground and a spectacular backdrop of the Alps, the Strandbad Mythenquai also boasts a good waterfront restaurant and various events. Close by, Seebad Enge is another popular lakeside resort, featuring floating rafts, designated women-only areas, massage, Yoga classes and saunas.

Urania Observatory

Switzerland's most historic of all its public observatories and close to the Bahnhofstrasse, the Urania Observatory is just over 100 years old and remains in excellent working order. Star gazers will appreciate the simply enormous telescope, which is used to study planets in the solar system, and the many star constellations in the night sky. The observatory's multi-language shows are usually well attended, while many visitors simple just enjoy the views across the lake and mountains.

Cultural sites in Liechtenstein

History

The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to conclude a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral) the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. Liechtenstein has a population of 33,000, 11 communities, 12.4 kilometers in width, 24.6 kilometers in length and mainly one landmark: Vaduz Palace. The Palace was built in the 12th century and is today the Royal Family’s residence, which is one of the oldest existing royal families in Europe .Liechtensteiners are very proud of the fact that their nation has never officially been involved in a battle or military confrontation with an "enemy state" and see their flag as a banner of peace.
Liechtenstein is not a significant tourist destination, but is often included as an extension of a trip to Austria or Switzerland. The country is extremely small and lacks significant destinations.  The scenery, however, is spectacular.  From the trivia bucket, a stop here is considered a "prize" by stamp collectors.
Liechtenstein's main attraction - the Castle at Vaduz - is not open to tourists, but its prominence on the hillside makes it the focus of tours of the town of Vaduz. To be honest, most travelers make a quick automobile trip through Liechtenstein to add another country to their list of countries visited. If you have time, drive as far as you can towards the mountains and find an outdoor cafe for what should be an extremely enjoyable lunch amidst spectacular scenery.

Cultural sites in Geneva

Most of Geneva's attractions can be covered on foot, with the exception of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). Motorboats, affectionately named mouettes (seagulls), crisscross the lake, providing excellent views of Geneva, as well as a close-up shot of the city emblem, the Jet d'Eau. The Old Town is dominated by the Cathédrale St-Pierre, situated next to the Auditoire, the church in which Calvin taught and John Knox preached and supervised the production of the Geneva Bible. In the city centre, there is the Ile Rousseau, a little island in the River Rhône, off the Pont des Bergues, with a statue of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and a superb view of the port of Geneva. Geneva is known as the ‘City of Parks'. As well as the Jardin Anglais, the city centre boasts the Promenade des Bastions, below the Old Town walls, which contains the famous Reformation Wall and giant outdoor chess pieces. Many of the parks are situated on the shores of the lake. On the rive gauche (left bank) are the Eaux-Vives and La Grange - the latter contains the ruins of a Roman villa and fine rose garden, where the annual International Rose Competition is held. On the rive droite (right bank), Ariana Park surrounds the museum of that name and the Palais des Nations, while nearer to the lake is the Jardin Botanique. The central point of the River Rhône is marked by the ruins of a medieval fort, the Tour de l'Ile.

Jet d’Eau

The Jet d’Eau is visible across the whole of the Lac Léman waterfront and is within easy reach of the beautiful Jardin Anglais. The Jet d’Eau is a spectacular fountain which pumps water 140m into the air. Originally the fountain was used as a pressure release for power generated from the Rhone river, but locals enjoyed the sight of it so much, the government decided to make it into a permanent showpiece, adding beautiful lights to the fountain, making it even more spectacular by night.

Cathedrale St. Pierre

Geneva’s beautiful 12th century cathedral marks a cultural, religious and historic part of Swiss history. The church is perhaps best known as the home of John Calvin – one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation, with a wooden chair used by Calvin on show to visitors within the church. The area below the cathedral has been subject to recent excavation, revealing evidence of a prosperous past dating back to the time of the Roman Empire. The cathedral is also believed to be one of three that have existed on the site throughout history. Whilst here, also go and see the International Museum of the Reformation, which allows a fascinating incite to the reformation of Christianity that,  allowing to one of the cathedral’s towers for unrivalled views of the city.