Römerberg
On the left side you can see Römerberg. It has served as the representative city square, or the “Gudd Stubb” of Frankfurt for centuries. In the middle of the square you will find the “Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen” (Fountain of Justice), erected in 1543 as a symbol of market rights, it has been continually renewed. Since 1887, the bronze “Justitia” with sword and scales has adorned the fountain. On the Römerberg, and in front of the reconstructed half-timbered houses, the famous Christmas market also takes place.
Der Römer (Old Town Hall)
The “Römer”, the old town hall of the city and today the seat of the city magistrate, is a group of eleven town houses to the west side of Römerberg. The centrepiece and landmark of Frankfurt are the three Gothic stepped gabled houses “Zum Römer”, “Alt-Limpurg” and “Löwenstein”, which were converted into the town hall in 1405.
The term “Römer” refers to the city authorities in a figurative sense. The first “Kaisertreppe” or “imperial staircase” dating from 1405 today serves as
a fixed staircase to the wedding hall of the registry office.
Paulskirche
On the right you will see the Paulskirche. It is an elliptical rotunda in classicistic forms. In 1848/49 the Pre-Parliament and the Frankfurt National Assembly met in the Paulskirche. The National Assembly was the first freely elected parliament in Germany.
In 1944, the interior of St. Paul's Church burned down and was rebuilt on 18 May 1948. The Paulskirche is considered a symbol
for freedom and democracy and is no longer used as a church. Today, Paulskirche is the venue for special events and honours, such as the presentation of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade at the Frankfurt Book Fair.