Here, in the heart of Frankfurt’s culinary mile, lies the Freßgass-Brunnen. This fountain is more than just a water feature. It is a meeting point and an iconic landmark.
The Freßgass-Brunnen was inaugurated in June 1977. It was designed by the artist Inge Hagner. The fountain’s design features a circular pattern of flat stone steps. Water gently streams from fashioned stone blocks. It flows over curvatures into a large pool.
The Freßgass itself has an interesting history. Around 1900, locals gave the streets Kalbächer Gasse and Große Bockenheimer Straße the nickname “Freßgass”. This translates to “Grazing Street”. The reason? A high concentration of butcheries and bakeries. Delicatessens and restaurants lined the street. It was the “belly” of Frankfurt’s Westend.
Before 1977, the Freßgass was not the official name. In that year, it officially became the Freßgass. That same year, Inge Hagner’s fountain was erected. The area was transformed into Frankfurt’s third pedestrian zone.
Before the Freßgass became a culinary paradise it looked different. Until 1944, the Säulplätzi was located here. It got its name from the medieval “Sauborn”. This “Sauborn” was filled in the 17th century. It was replaced by the Kaiserbrunnen. The Sauborn shows that keeping pigs in the city was common in the Middle Ages.
After the Second World War, Frankfurt planned a car-friendly city. From 1952 to 1956, buildings on the north side of the Freßgass were demolished. The street was widened. The plan failed. The city center was soon congested with traffic.
From 1969 to 1977, the Freßgass was impassable. This was due to the construction of the S-Bahn tunnel. After the construction, the Freßgass became a pedestrian zone.
Today, the Freßgass is known for its culinary offerings. You will find many delicatessens and restaurants here. The Freßgass-Brunnen provides a place to relax. Many people dip their feet in the water.
The Freßgass-Brunnen has become a popular meeting place. The Rheingau Wine Festival takes place here every late summer. The wine festival attracts around 400,000 guests every year. Wineries from Rheingau and Rheinhessen present their wines.
Take a moment to appreciate the Freßgass-Brunnen. It is a symbol of Frankfurt’s history. It is a place of relaxation and culinary delight. It connects the past with the present. It is a reminder of Frankfurt’s evolution.