Churches, Frankfurt am Main

The present-day Frankfurt Cathedral was originally a Carolingian chapel. Although called a cathedral since the 18th century, it never was an episcopal church in the true sense. Consecrated in the name of St Bartholomew in 1239, this cathedral was officially chosen to serve as the electoral site for kings of the Holy Roman Empire in 1356. Ten imperial coronations took place here between 1562 and 1792. https://www.frankfurt.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=317578&_ffmpar[_id_inhalt]=5021018

The “Dreikönigskirche”, or “Church of the Three Kings”, is currently one of three places of worship of the Three Kings parish of Sachsenhausen, the largest Protestant parish in Frankfurt with some 6,200 members. It is situated directly on the banks of the River Main. Many believe the church to be older than it actually is. In truth, it was consecrated as recently as 1881. The precursor of this neo-Gothic church was the “Dreikönigskapelle” (“Chapel of the Three Kings”), consecrated in 1340. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Churches/Dreikoenigskirche

The Old Nikolai Church (Alte Nikolaikirche) belongs to the famous group on Frankfurt’s Römerberg. Visitors enjoy its harmonic carillon with 47 bells. This small church, dating back to the 13th century, presumably served as a royal chapel for Stauferian nobility. First official mention dates back to 24 September 1264. The chapel may well have served as electoral site for kings and parliaments. The church was sanctified in the name of St Nicolas of Bari in 1290. Later, the church became the preferred place of worship for the city's councillors. A Gothic-style gallery was added in 1476, from which the councilmen could watch the festivities. Two significant tombstones are located in the interior, honouring Siegfried zum Paradies and Katharina Netheha zum Wedel. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Best-of-Frankfurt2/reconstructed-old-town/Alte-Nikolaikirche

The Archaeological Museum, formerly the Museum of Pre- and Early History, is housed in the Carmelite Church. A modern annexe designed by Joseph-Paul Kleihues has recently been added. The Archaeological Museum devotes itself to the investigation, documentation and presentation of archaeological findings of Frankfurt and its environs from pre-historic times, the Roman period, the Middle Ages and the modern era. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Archaeological-Museum

Construction on St Justin's Church began around 830, once Archbishop Otgar of Mainz had returned from Rome with the relics of St Justin. The church was completed around 850. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Churches/Justinuskirche

Frankfurt's main Protestant church (1678-1681), formerly a vestal cloister and hospital, 1343/1353 under the charge of the Teutonic Order. Protestant parish church since 1526. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Churches/Katharinenkirche