Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus)

Frankfurt Cathedral, formally St. Bartholomäus but commonly called the Kaiserdom, is a Gothic church built largely of red sandstone during the 14th and 15th centuries, standing near the Römerberg in the Altstadt. Although never the seat of a bishop for most of its history, it earned its imperial nickname as the site where Holy Roman Emperors were elected from 1356 and crowned from 1562 through 1792. The Wahlkapelle, or Election Chapel, off the north side of the nave, is where the seven prince-electors cast their votes. Inside, visitors see the high altar, historic choir stalls, and a small cathedral museum displaying vestments and liturgical treasures tied to the imperial ceremonies. The tower, reached by a narrow spiral staircase of roughly 328 steps with no elevator, opens onto a viewing platform above the Altstadt rooftops, looking toward the Main river and the modern skyline beyond. Viewing the nave and chapel takes about 30 minutes, while climbing the tower adds another 45 minutes to an hour depending on queues. The church interior is free to enter, with admission charged only for the tower and museum. Weekday mornings outside of scheduled mass times are the quietest period to visit, since services periodically restrict tourist access to parts of the nave.