Imagine a time long ago. Frankfurt was a city of contrasts. Here at Lohstraße 8 Plaque we remember its story.
The Lohstraße 8 Plaque commemorates a specific event. It also celebrates Frankfurt’s rich history. Frankfurt was first mentioned in 794 AD. Charlemagne documented it. This was for the monastery St. Emmeram. However, the cathedral hill shows settlement since 3000 BC. A Roman military camp stood here around 83 AD. Later, it became a Franconian king’s court.
Frankfurt became significant. It was the East Franconians’ royal palatinate. Parliaments met here too. By 1220, Frankfurt was a free imperial city. The Golden Bull in 1356 declared Frankfurt the city of choice. Roman kings would be chosen here.
From 1562, emperors were crowned in Frankfurt. The last was Franz II. He was a Habsburg. The Holy Roman Empire ended. Frankfurt then joined the Confederation of the Rhine. Karl Theodor of Dalberg made it capital. This was for a short-lived grand duchy from 1810 to 1813.
Frankfurt became a free city again in 1815. It was the seat of the federal government. The March revolution of 1848 stirred the German states. The Franco-Prussian War ended in Frankfurt in 1871. This symbolized reconciliation.
Frankfurt grew in the 19th century. Bornheim was incorporated. More followed after 1895. For a while, Frankfurt was Germany’s largest city. Between 1879 and 1926, key institutions arose. These included the Stock Exchange, Old Opera, central station, University, and first airport.
Under the Nazis, 9000 Jews were deported. World War Two devastated the city. Aerial attacks ruined the old and central areas. Before 1944, Frankfurt had a unique medieval cityscape. Modern reconstruction erased much of it.
After the war, American forces made Frankfurt headquarters. It became the administrative center. Frankfurt narrowly lost the vote to be the Federal capital. Bonn won due to Konrad Adenauer’s preference. A parliament building was already built. Today, it houses Hessischer Rundfunk.
Post-war Frankfurt became a business metropolis again. In 1998, it became home to the European Central Bank.
Think about Frankfurt’s resilience. It rose from ruins to become a major financial hub. Today, Frankfurt is called “Mainhattan”. This is because its skyline reminds people of Manhattan.
The Lohstraße 8 Plaque serves as a silent reminder. It echoes the past. It marks a point in a city that has witnessed centuries of change. It connects us to Frankfurt’s story. It invites reflection on our shared history.