Frankfurt Cathedral

Frankfurt Cathedral – officially the Imperial Cathedral of St. Bartholomew (Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus) – is the largest church in Frankfurt am Main and one of the most important sites of German history. For centuries the prince-electors chose the kings of the Holy Roman Empire here, and from 1562 the emperors were crowned inside. Its red sandstone tower, 95 meters (312 feet) tall, still dominates the Old Town, and the climb to the top rewards you with a sweeping view of the river and skyline.

Where it is and how to get there

The cathedral stands on Domplatz in the heart of the Old Town, a few steps east of Römerberg square. Take subway lines U4 or U5 to Dom/Römer, or streetcars 11, 12 or 14 to Römer/Paulskirche. From Frankfurt Airport, the S-Bahn runs to the Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), where you change to the U4 – an easy half-day trip during a layover. The Deutschlandticket is valid on all these lines. If you drive, the Dom Römer underground garage on Domstrasse is the closest.

Why it matters

Although everyone calls it a "cathedral," it was never the seat of a bishop. It served as a collegiate church until 1803 and earned the title "Kaiserdom" (imperial cathedral) because of its role in the empire:

• 855: the first royal election in Frankfurt took place in the predecessor church.
• 1356: the Golden Bull of Emperor Charles IV fixed the rules for electing the king.
• From 1438: the electors met for elections in the small Election Chapel beside the choir.
• 1562 to 1792: Frankfurt became the coronation city. Maximilian II was the first emperor crowned here, Francis II the last, on July 14, 1792.

After each coronation, the procession walked from the cathedral to the Römer, Frankfurt's city hall, for the banquet – a route you can still follow today.

What to see

The Gothic church was built mainly between 1250 and 1514. A fire in 1867 destroyed the upper tower and most of the furnishings; the tower was then completed by 1878 according to the original medieval design, which is why it looks the way it does today. In the air raid of March 22, 1944, the interior burned out again, but the most valuable art had been moved to safety beforehand. Highlights inside:

• High choir with a painted frieze (1407–1427) telling the life of St. Bartholomew in 28 scenes
• Altar of the Dormition of Mary from 1438, fully preserved
• Deposition from the Cross, a large painting traditionally attributed to Anthony van Dyck, though experts disagree
• Skull relic of St. Bartholomew, kept in the cathedral treasury
• Cathedral Museum in the medieval cloister, with an audio guide app available in English

Climbing the tower

The viewing platform sits at 66 meters and is reached by 328 steps on a narrow spiral staircase – there is no elevator, and the climb is not recommended if you are claustrophobic or have heart or circulation problems. Backpacks and large bags must be left at the ticket desk, and pets are not allowed. Visitor numbers at the top are limited, so expect a wait on weekends. On a clear day you can see the Taunus and Odenwald hills.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026:

• Cathedral: daily 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., free admission. Please do not disturb worshippers during services.
• Tower: April to October, Monday noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays and holidays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; November to March, Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends and holidays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last climb 30 minutes before closing. Tickets €3 (reduced €2), or €5 on weekends, when the small exhibition in the tower keeper's room is open.
• Cathedral Museum: Tuesday to Sunday, €4 (reduced €3). It is closed from October 12 to 25, 2026 while a new special exhibition is installed.

Is it worth visiting?

Definitely. Allow about two hours for the church, tower and museum. Then explore the reconstructed New Old Town right next door, cross the Eiserner Steg footbridge, visit Goethe House, or compare the view with the one from the Main Tower observation deck.