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Germany Frankfurt am Main Hesse Museum

Historical Museum Frankfurt

About

The Historical Museum Frankfurt (Historisches Museum Frankfurt) is the city’s oldest museum and one of the largest urban history museums in Europe, dedicated to telling the story of Frankfurt from its earliest days to the present. Founded in 1878, it is located on the Römerberg in the heart of the old town and incorporates the medieval Saalhof, the city’s oldest surviving building, alongside striking modern extensions completed in 2017. Across more than 6,000 square meters, the museum presents permanent and temporary exhibitions that explore Frankfurt’s political, social, and cultural development, from its role as a medieval trade hub and site of imperial coronations to its transformation into a modern financial and multicultural metropolis. Highlights include the Kaisersaal portraits, the Frankfurt Models showcasing the city’s changing urban landscape, and the participatory City Lab, which invites residents to share their perspectives on contemporary life. The museum also encompasses the Junges Museum, designed for children, and the Porcelain Museum, as well as the beautifully restored Renaissance house “Zur Goldenen Waage.” With its blend of historic architecture, innovative displays, and community engagement, the Historical Museum Frankfurt is both a guardian of memory and a forum for dialogue about the city’s future.

Frankfurt am Main Germany
Historical Museum Frankfurt
Location

The Historical Museum Frankfurt is located at Saalhof 1 in Frankfurt am Main’s Altstadt district near the Römerberg square and close to the banks of the River Main. It is one of the oldest and largest city museums in Europe, combining the 800-year-old Saalhof with a striking new building opened in 2017. The museum displays Frankfurt’s rich cultural history through permanent and special exhibitions, highlighting the city’s medieval past, Renaissance, and modern development. Nearby landmarks include the iconic Römer city hall, the Iron Bridge (Eiserner Steg), and the lively old town with its cafes and shops. The museum is easily accessible via public transport at the Dom/Römer U-Bahn and tram stops, making it a central cultural destination for visitors exploring Frankfurt’s historic core.​

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