What makes the cathedral one of Frankfurt's highlights: its history, the late Gothic architecture and the sweeping view from the 95-metre-high west tower.
Some people also call it "Frankfurt's first skyscraper", as the almost 95-metre-high tower of the imperial cathedral was already rising into the sky in the 15th century. The cruciform hall church is the fourth place of worship on this site; its predecessors can be dated back to a Merovingian chapel from the 7th century. After 1200, the church received a skull relic of St Bartholomew, which is now part of the cathedral treasury alongside precious sacred art. Strictly speaking, the late Gothic building is wrongly called a cathedral, as Frankfurt was never a bishop's see. But from 1356, royal elections were held in the cathedral and from 1562 to 1792, ten German-Roman emperors were crowned in front of the coronation altar.
You should definitely not miss out on climbing the tower. Although the 328 steps to the top require a certain level of fitness, the view of the Old Town with St Paul's Church, the Römerberg and the skyscrapers behind it will quickly make you forget the exertion.
Some people also call it "Frankfurt's first skyscraper", as the almost 95-metre-high tower of the imperial cathedral was already rising into the sky in the 15th century. The cruciform hall church is the fourth place of worship on this site; its predecessors can be dated back to a Merovingian chapel from the 7th century. After 1200, the church received a skull relic of St Bartholomew, which is now part of the cathedral treasury alongside precious sacred art. Strictly speaking, the late Gothic building is wrongly called a cathedral, as Frankfurt was never a bishop's see. But from 1356, royal elections were held in the cathedral and from 1562 to 1792, ten German-Roman emperors were crowned in front of the coronation altar.
You should definitely not miss out on climbing the tower. Although the 328 steps to the top require a certain level of fitness, the view of the Old Town with St Paul's Church, the Römerberg and the skyscrapers behind it will quickly make you forget the exertion.
