Picture the Steinernes Haus. Its imposing stone facade stands before you a testament to centuries of Frankfurt history. This isn’t just a building it’s a living record of the city’s evolution. Imagine its beginnings in the 15th century. Two narrow timber-framed houses stood here one known as Haus Bornfleck.
Legend whispers of a well once located on this very spot. A well called Born in old German. Konrad Bornfleck a prominent citizen owned Haus Bornfleck. His wife Hedwig belonged to one of Frankfurt’s most influential families. This suggests he moved in high circles.
The Golden Bull of 1356 declared Frankfurt the city for electing German Emperors. The market in front of the Steinernes Haus became the coronation route. This increased the value of the land dramatically. The Steinernes Haus became prime real estate.
In 1464 Johann von Melem a wealthy Cologne merchant bought both houses. He demolished them building the Steinernes Haus. The Lersner Chronicle tells us that his son Johann laid the first stone. They celebrated with three Tours groschens for the workers. A church record confirms the building’s construction.
The Melem family owned the Steinernes Haus for generations. They were powerful merchants and politicians. The family’s influence spread throughout the city. Their wealth and property grew.
The Steinernes Haus stood tall for centuries. It survived the changing times and political shifts. It even hosted a renowned art school around 1750. Goethe’s sister Cornelia may have been a student there.
The decline of the old city center in the 19th century affected the Steinernes Haus. The Frankfurt fairs became less important. The imperial coronations ended. The building fell into disrepair.
In 1898 Frankfurt bought the Steinernes Haus. They wanted to preserve it as a historical monument. The city’s intentions were good. However many medieval buildings were demolished to make way for modern streets. The Steinernes Haus’s back buildings were destroyed to build Braubach Street.
In 1944 Allied bombing raids almost completely destroyed the Steinernes Haus. Only the outer walls and the vaulted cellar entrance survived. The interior was lost. The original Gothic interior was irretrievably gone.
Despite the devastation it was rebuilt in the 1960s. It cost a huge amount of money. The reconstruction was remarkably faithful to the original design. The Steinernes Haus stands out from the simpler post-war architecture. Today it houses the Frankfurt Art Association. It’s a symbol of Frankfurt’s resilience and cultural heritage. It’s a living reminder that even after devastation beauty and history can be reborn. The Steinernes Haus continues to tell its story. A story of wealth. A story of power. A story of resilience. A story that continues to unfold before us.