Discovering Frankfurt part 2

The historical center of Frankfurt

The next day I start again walking on the streets of the city and so I go again to the banks of Main because I really like the areas near the river.

I arrive in the historical center of the old city known for Romerberg, the central square of the old town which is probably the most touristy area of Frankfurt, famous especially for the Christmas markets (like all the old markets in any German city). Here is the city administration since the 15th century, and the architecture of the buildings is the proof of the authenticity and antiquity of this place.

The Romer is a reconstructed medieval building that represents one of the city landmarks.

In the market there are souvenir shops from where I also buy a postcard that illustrates in a black and white image the appearance of this city center in 1658. It seems that during those times the square was animated by the different activities of the people.

On the opposite side of Romerberg I see other buildings with very beautiful architectural details. The facades have many small windows framed by colored pieces of wood either in black, red or brown applied on the white walls.

Everything is clean, aesthetic and very pleasant to my taste. On the right I see the old Church of St. Nicholas. The buildings were rebuilt after World War II, during which many has been destroyed. In the area of the historical center there are souvenir shops, restaurants and terraces where traditional food and drinks can be served.

I only go into stores to buy souvenirs from Frankfurt and then continue my journey through this area. Without knowing I discover an archeology museum called Imperial Palace Franconofurd.

The archaeological site is open to the public free of charge and contains the ruins of buildings dating back to the 9th century - as far as I can understand. However, what draws my attention are the screens that show how the first settlements of the area were once to be developed in the great city of Frankfurt.

Once I get out of here, I come across a tall red cathedral which is actually The Dom.

I look at it from the outside, but I don't go in and out because I'm in a hurry to get to other places I had planned to see.

The museum of Contemporary Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art is my next destination. I first enter The MMK Zollamt, a smaller building belonging to this museum and located exactly opposite it.

I enter a darkened room where an installation is supposed to have global warming theme. On the floor is an octopus whose tentacles and body appear faint and devoid of any life. In front of the octopus is a huge glacier. From a distance I don't know if the glacier is real, but the closer I get to it, the more I start to feel the chill.

Yes, the glacier is real and fingerprints are carved into it. I touch it to check if it's ice. I see many hands that have been touched this glacier forming a mark in it by melting the ice due to the heat of the hands. I make the same gesture and leave a mark in the glacier.

The meaning of this facility is obvious and it has to do with the fact that humans are to blame for melting glaciers and endangering marine animals through irresponsible and harsh environmental actions. This artistic site saddens me and makes me think about my own harmful behaviors and but also motivates me to try to be as environmentally friendly as possible in my daily life.

I go to the main building of the art museum. At the entrance I buy a ticket which is in fact free because I am a young person under 26 years old. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 18 pm plus, on Wednesday it is open until 20 pm. On Monday the museum is closed!

I enter the museum and walk around the very minimal works of art. Cady Noland is the American artist whose installations are present in all of the rooms. She is known for her conceptual style and sculptures representing bad, toxic, unhealthy aspects of the American Culture. I am not at all impressed by her work, but I really like the museum building.

Cady Nolan fails to penetrate my universe so I pay more attention to the design of the museum. I am attracted by the beautiful relationship that is created between the white walls, those colored in red, orange or green. From the second floor there is an opening through which I can see down the different parts of the 1st floor and the ground floor.

An interesting view is formed that contains the access stairs, the railings, the wooden floors, the straight or circular walls and the support pillars. I am not excited about the works, but I still remember the fascinating and simple interior of the museum.

Down the river Main

Because I go continuously since early morning at this time of day I become quite tired and I lack in energy. Outside is a sunny spring day so I head back to the banks of the Main River to charge my batteries. I find a green space where many people are already staying to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather outside on a Sunday afternoon.

It is a very warm and sunny Sunday afternoon so a lot of people go out to do various activities in the city. Some go out for picnics with family and friends, others take a walk by themselves or with their pets, most athletes run, exercise or go canoeing on the river. I also sit on the grass and start to look around at the landscape and as well as the people around me.

Because I'm hungry I take food out of my backpack and start eating. Very soon I see some birds coming towards me. Two ducks see me having food and come to me to ask for food. They are friendly and although I know that it is not good to feed them, I still cannot resist their insistence and give them some bread.

Probably for a long time, ducks and other birds found on the banks of the Main River have been used to humans and have become more and more domestic. I stay here for a long time because I really like the relaxing atmosphere that surrounds me. It is evening and I see again as yesterday a very colorful sunset that is reflected into the water.

On my way to the hostel I pass over the bridge which has a lot of hanging locks, but this action of people to put padlocks on the bridges does not seem to me necessary, beautiful or beneficial so I do not attach great importance to the view. I would also like to mention that during my trip to Frankfurt I go a lot on foot to reach the wanted destinations.

I choose to do this because I can get to know and experience as much of this great city as possible. I only ride the subway twice, but I cannot explain how this mean of transportation works because my friend is the one dealing with the subway guide. All I do is just follow him.

The Botanical Garden of Frankfurt

On my last day in Frankfurt I go to the Botanical Garden. When I travel to a new city I often visit the botanical gardens. I believe that the presence of green spaces in the cities shows the standard of living of the people in the area as well as the degree of civilization.

The more a city is interested in maintaining and growing green spaces, the more pleasant and developed that place is. The Frankfurt Botanic Garden charges entrance fee, but for young people under 26 years of age admission is free. I make a mistake by forgetting to show my student ID when I buy the ticket and I have to pay 3 euros.

Because it is early spring, as I enter the garden, I see the beautiful blooming magnolia trees. The flowers of the pink and white magnolias are many and large and dominate the entire landscape of the garden. 

In addition to the trees and various plants also appear in my path squirrels, ducks, insects or other birds which I can not name. The garden also has specially designed places with benches and wooden chairs where people can take a break while watching the vegetation around them.

I enter the greenhouses and I seem to be teleporting to another world. The environment inside the greenhouses is different depending on the plants that grow there. The tropical area and the jungle climate, very humid and warm, impress me the most, but I cannot spend much time here because I feel I cannot breathe.

Among the plants I see are many species of cacti, succulents,water lillies, ficus, fruit trees such as mango, avocado, lemons, orange, papaya, coffee, cocoa and probably many more that I do not recognize or know the name of. For the first time I see here a carnivorous plant that I find extraordinary fascinating because of how it opens and closes when it feels like something is close to it.

Because I am notified that I have to leave by car to Saarbrucken, I cannot see the whole Botanical Garden. But I am happy and satisfied with what I admire so far.