In German literary circles, it is rumoured that the ghost of the young Werther, the one full of sorrow, would occasionally materialise among humans at Grosser Hirschgraben, an address in the centre of Frankfurt. More precisely, the spectre would ascend to the top floor of the house at number 23 to sit at the desk where its famous author Goethe wrote his dramatic love affairs.
Here, the unfortunate boy who committed suicide for the love of the beautiful Lotte, is said to act as a soul in distress to remind the younger generation of the importance of slowness, romanticism, waiting, rejection and writing about one's feelings without resorting to funny faces.
In German literary circles, it is rumoured that this is divine punishment hanging over them for having printed a satirical pamphlet entitled 'The Sorrows of the Young Tinder' by a 34-year-old hopelessly pockmarked teenage youtuber named Hans.
A pilgrimage to the beautiful German city may therefore be necessary if you only know the latter of the two authors, to give credit to the ghost of the romantic hero and for many other reasons that we have tried to summarise for you.
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Frankfurt
Frankfurt is Germany's busiest airport and a key hub for the whole of Europe, although paradoxically most of the people who flock there every day are only in transit to other, more exotic destinations.
In fact, not everyone realises that Frankfurt is much more than a stopover and that it would be worth stopping in the city even if only for a day to discover its unique attractions.
A city with an international identity that hosts citizens from all over the world, with around a quarter of its residents born abroad, making its social dynamics and cultural offerings diverse and rich in influences.
In addition, during the week, hundreds of thousands of commuters transform the city into a kind of metropolitan jungle of imposing skyscrapers housing the headquarters of some of the world's largest companies. Frankfurt is the financial centre of Germany but offers its inhabitants and tourists many hidden aspects to discover.
Its rich cultural scene has nothing to envy to the great European centres; in the shadow of the ten tallest skyscrapers in Germany that draw its scenic skyline, one can find monuments and museums of international importance, such as the church that housed Germany's first democratic parliament and the birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Plus old cafés, European or neo-Gothic design houses, a market, an opera house and much more.
Frankfurt is also home to two international trade fairs of great importance and public interest that attract huge numbers of passionate visitors. At 230,000 square metres, the huge Messe Frankfurt trade fair complex is home to the world's most important publishing event: the Frankfurt Book Fair and also the International Motor Show.
What to see in Frankfurt
But what are the best attractions not to be missed during a stay in Frankfurt? Here is a small sample:
The Römerberg: the historic centre
The Römerberg is the picturesque, irregularly shaped square in the heart of Frankfurt's old town. After the devastation of World War II, the German citizens opted not to rebuild an entire district as it was, but to go back to the beginning of the last century.
its old houses, church and historic buildings are all replicas of the originals, giving us a clear idea of what the city was like when it had the largest medieval centre in Germany.
the Römer , has eleven faithfully reconstructed buildings, the area includes the old town hall (Altes Rathaus), with its imperial hall (Kaisersaal), the Gothic St. Leonhard's Church, St. Nicholas Church, which amazingly survived the war without serious damage, and the Renaissance fountain of justice, dating from 1543 (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen).
This large pedestrian area is also home to numerous tourist attractions such as antique shops and characteristic half-timbered houses with bars and restaurants serving typical meals, also outdoors.
The Museum Quarter - Museumsufer
Frankfurt's Museum Quarter (Museumsufer), on the south bank of the river Main, is a collection of important museums of international standing.
Planned between the 1980s and 1990s, the Museumsufer brings together 12 museums in buildings specially designed by great architects or in the interior of converted old villas. The entire area is a successful example of modern town planning at the service of cultural offerings.
The concentration and quality of the museums along the banks of the Main make Museumsufer one of the most important places for art in Germany and Europe.
These include:
Museum der Weltkulturen - Ethnological Museum
Galerie Liebieghaus - Museum of Ancient Sculpture
Deutsches Architekturmuseum - Museum of German Architecture
Deutsches Filminstitut - German Film Institute
Museum Angewandte Kunst - MAK - Museum of Applied Art
Ikonen-Museum der Stadt Frankfurt am Main - Museum of Icons
Jüdisches Museum - Jewish History Museum
The Städel Art Museum deserves a separate mention. It exhibits one of the world's most interesting collections of paintings from various periods, with works by Goya, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Picasso, Degas, Bacon and many others.
In addition, two events are held each year that enliven the life of the district and attract many visitors, such as the Museumsufer Festival, one of the most important in Europe, and Museum Night.
Main Tower
To get another perspective on the city, there is no better way than from the observation platform of the 200-metre-high Main Tower, the only skyscraper open to the public in Frankfurt. The building located in the heart of the business district is named after the Main River and is the fourth highest in Germany, offering a fantastic view of the city.
Once at the top, thanks to a convenient lift, one can enjoy not only a breathtaking view but also a good meal or drink in the atmospheric panorama restaurant.
The tower designed by architects Schweger and Meyer is the first in Europe with an all-glass façade and also houses important contemporary art works in its atrium.
Goethe House and Museum
Germany's greatest ever writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born in Frankfurt in 1749 in a beautiful house that has now been reconstructed and converted into a museum after damage during World War II.
The house where the philosopher writer lived with his family and where he wrote some of his best-known works features an ornate dining room on the main floor and his personal study upstairs. Everything has been faithfully restored as it was at the time, with original paintings, furniture and books belonging to the family.
Next to the residence, the Goethe Museum is also worth a visit, a 14-room gallery displaying works of art from the late Baroque and Romantic periods.
Frankfurt Opera House
The Frankfurt Opera House is one of the most important in Germany and, in general, the city's theatre centre is one of the best with over 100 theatres with excellent calendars.
What to see in a day
Museumsufer
Städel Museum
Main Tower
Goethe House and Museum
Frankfurt Cathedral
Römerberg
Botanical Garden - Palmengarten
St Paul's Church
Frankfurt Zoo
Pedestrian Bridge over the Main - Eiserner
Frankfurt Weather
Frankfurt is characterised by an almost continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. The best time to visit is during the months of April to September.
Sleeping in Frankfurt
Where best to sleep? Here are some useful tips
Where to stay for the first time - Zentrum-Altstadt
Where to stay for nightlife - Sachsenhausen
Where to stay on a budget - Bahnhofsviertel
Where to stay with the family - Bornheim
Where to stay in Frankfurt on a medium to high budget - Nordend
Surroundings of Frankfurt
Wiesbaden
Mainz
Höchst
Heidelberg
Darmstadt