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Historisches Museum Frankfurt - Startseite
Das Foto zeigt das Modell der Geldstadt in der Schneekugel im Museum.
Modell von "Bankfurt". CC-BY-SA 4.0: HMF, Foto: Thijs Wolzak
Die Zeichnung zeigt die Börse am Römerberg, viele Häuser und Hütten sind zu sehen.
Die Börse am Römerberg, CC-BY-SA 4.0: HMF
Das Foto zeigt das Modell der Geldstadt in der Schneekugel im Museum. Die Zeichnung zeigt die Börse am Römerberg, viele Häuser und Hütten sind zu sehen.

Frankfurt = Bankfurt?! 

Many companies from thefinancial sector are located in Frankfurt. They are the reason for the city to be the leading financial centre of Germany. A visible sign of this are the bank towers, for which Frankfurt has received the epithet "Mainhattan". They inspired Jakob Michael Birn to create a model in reference to the Tower of Babel, the symbol of human hubris.

Since the Middle Ages, Frankfurt has been an important centre for exhibition and trade. The city benefited from its central location and its importance as an election and coronation city of the German kings. In 1240 and 1330, Frankfurt received imperial trade fair privileges, which promoted trade and thus the money and credit economy. Merchants from the great trading centres in Europe met at the autumn and spring fairs; all paying in their own currencies. Initiated by foreign merchants, for the first time fixed exchange rates were agreed upon in 1585 – the stock exchange was founded!
 
The development of the financial sector also shaped the face of the city. Initially, trading and bartering took place in the city's squares, streets and halls. Over the centuries, activities shifted indoors and today they now take place behind reflecting glass facades. The financial sector has developed into a rather closed world of insiders. After the exposure of financial speculations, currency fraud and other scandals, the image of the respected, discreet banker with integrity has also changed. The modern banker is described as an arrogant, calculating and cold-blooded careerist, who has literally lost his grounding in his skyscraper.

Frankfurt = the secret capital?!

Emperors were crowned in Frankfurt and the city almost became the capital of Western Germany after the Second World War

Frankfurt = a hub?!

A motorway junction, an important link in the rail network, an aviation hub and a centre for technology – Frankfurt is an international hub