Frankfurt's town hall since 1405, a row of three gabled medieval houses on the Römerberg; the Kaisersaal upstairs holds portraits of the 52 Holy Roman emperors.
The Römer is the town hall of Frankfurt am Main in the state of Hesse, Germany, and the most recognisable building on the Römerberg square. The city council bought the houses Zum Römer and Goldener Schwan in 1405 and gradually joined neighbouring buildings to them, creating the row of gabled medieval houses that still forms the civic centre. The stepped gable of the middle house became the emblem of Frankfurt and appears on postcards, souvenirs and city branding. During the centuries when the kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were elected and crowned in Frankfurt, the Römer was the setting for the ceremonial banquets that followed the coronations in the nearby cathedral, with the new ruler appearing before the crowds in the square. The most important room is the Kaisersaal on the upper floor, decorated in the 19th century with portraits of the 52 rulers of the Holy Roman Empire from Conrad I to Francis II. The building also contains the council chamber, halls used for civic receptions and the registry office where weddings take place, so the interior is used by the city today rather than being a pure museum. The architecture is late Gothic in the gables and arcaded ground floors, combined with later alterations typical of a patchwork assembled over several centuries. Allied bombing in March 1944 destroyed most of the old town around the square, and the Römer was heavily damaged. It was rebuilt in the years after the war, and the half-timbered houses on the east side of the Römerberg were reconstructed later as part of the effort to restore the historic heart of the city. Today the facade is freely visible from the square, which hosts the Christmas market in winter and public events through the year. Interior visits are possible mainly on guided tours or special occasions arranged through the Tourist Information at Römerberg 27, so visitors should check the schedule in advance. The stop works well as the start of a walk linking the Alte Nikolaikirche, the Kaiserdom, the Historisches Museum and the Paulskirche, all within a few minutes on foot.
| Admission | Facade free (~$0); guided tour fare set by the tourist office, confirm at visitfrankfurt.travel |
|---|---|
| Hours | Interior visits only by guided tour or event; confirm at Tourist Information at the Römer, Römerberg 27 or visitfrankfurt.travel |
| Getting there | U-Bahn U4/U5 to Dom/Römer (3-minute walk) |
| Address | Römerberg 27, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany |
Why it matters
The Römer was the civic centre of a free imperial city and the scene of the banquets that followed the coronations of Holy Roman emperors. Its gabled facade has become the symbol of Frankfurt.
Location
Römerberg 27, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
50.1103, 8.6822 View on map
Highlights
- Stepped triple-gable facade on the Römerberg, the emblem of Frankfurt
- Kaisersaal with portraits of the 52 Holy Roman emperors
- Setting for the banquets that followed imperial coronations
- Rebuilt after the 1944 bombing as the civic heart of the old town
Tips for visiting
- Photograph the facade from the middle of the Römerberg square for the full row of gables.
- Interior access is mainly by guided tour; check the Tourist Information at Römerberg 27 for dates.
- Weddings and civic events can close the interior at short notice, so confirm before planning a visit.
- Combine with the Alte Nikolaikirche and the Kaiserdom, both within a few minutes on foot.
- Visit in the early morning for a square with few people; the Christmas market period is very crowded.
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Frequently asked questions
Can visitors go inside the Römer?
Interior visits are generally limited to guided tours and special events organised through the Tourist Information at Römerberg 27. The facade can be seen freely at any time.
What is the Kaisersaal?
The Kaisersaal is the upper-floor hall of the Römer, decorated with portraits of the 52 Holy Roman emperors from Conrad I to Francis II.
Is the Römer original?
The building dates from 1405 onward but was heavily damaged in 1944 and rebuilt after the Second World War, so much of what is seen today is a reconstruction.