"The Main Ingredient" a Frankfurt am Main Travel Page by yooperprof

"Bankfurt" - or "Mainhattan" - is not the most German of major German cities. International trade fairs, a sizeable American commercial (and military) presence, innumerable language schools, several large institutions of higher education, the presence of the European Central Bank, one of the most important stock exchanges in Europe - and more flashy money than you can shake a stick at: many factors coalesce to give Frankfurt a peculiar atmosphere that is certainly international, yet not quite exactly "German."

Oh - and it was almost wiped out in World War II bombing raids. At the end of the war, the town fathers decided to rebuild in an international style - and to allow tall buildings, lots of 'em. It's the skyline - so American, so robust - that is probably's Frankfurt's most notable 21st century characteristic.

But there's plenty of "Kultur" here - as befits a city that was the birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany's Shakespeare. Money + Brains = lots to do and see. There's a lively music scene, the Stadel is a great art museum, interesting galleries line city streets, and the Frankfurt Opera is excellent. Just drop a line to VT-er "Nemorino" - he'll be glad to tell you what's on!