The Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus is the tallest and oldest-feeling building in Frankfurt's old centre, and it is the reason the city matters in German history. The Gothic church was built between 1315 and 1358 on the site of a palace chapel founded in 822, and after Charles IV issued the Golden Bull in 1356 Frankfurt became the place where German kings were elected. From 1562, ten German emperors and kings were crowned here. Inside, it is a three-aisled hall church of red sandstone, with a quiet Election Chapel set aside for prayer, the medieval Mary's Sleep Altar, a painting of the Lamentation of Christ by van Dyck and the skull reliquary of St. Bartholomew. The nearly 95-metre west tower holds the Gloriosa, one of the heaviest bells in Germany. A viewing platform sits at 66 metres, reached by 328 steps, with a view over the Römer, the Paulskirche and the river. Next door, the Dom Museum shows cathedral treasures, including finds from a Merovingian grave.
Why it matters
The cathedral is not a cathedral in the strict sense, because Frankfurt never had its own bishop, and the name Kaiserdom, the Imperial Cathedral, reflects its political role instead. For centuries this was the stage for the most important ceremony in the Holy Roman Empire. The building suffered in a fire in 1867 and again in the bombing of 1944, and was rebuilt both times, so the tower that dominates the skyline of the old town is a survivor.
It was the only major medieval landmark that stayed recognisable after the war, and standing beside it in the cobbled lanes of the New Old Town is the best way to understand how much was lost and how much was rebuilt around it.
Visiting well
Step inside first, because the cool, dim interior is an easy contrast to the busy square outside, and give yourself time to look at the altars and the carved details rather than just walking through. It is a working church, so keep voices low and respect services, and check the cathedral's own pages for current visiting hours and access to the tower and museum, which can differ from the main church.
If you climb, wear comfortable shoes, because the 328 steps are narrow and the stairway is shared in both directions. The view is the best way to connect the old centre to the skyline that rises behind it, and a clear day makes all the difference.
Pairing it
The cathedral sits at the head of the New Old Town, so it combines naturally with the Römerberg, the Historisches Museum and the small museums on the lanes behind the Römer. From here it is a short walk to the Eiserner Steg and the Museumsufer, and the Kleinmarkthalle is a few minutes north. It also anchors the Christmas market, which spreads through the lanes around the church in Advent. Allow thirty minutes for the church alone, and an hour or more if you add the tower and the museum.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit to a working Gothic church, with optional access to the tower viewing platform and the neighbouring Dom Museum.
Best time
Morning, when the church is calm and the light is soft on the red sandstone, or a clear afternoon if you plan to climb the tower for the view.
How long
Thirty minutes for the church, and up to ninety minutes with the tower and the museum.
Tips
Check opening hours for the tower and museum, wear sturdy shoes for the 328 steps, and keep in mind that services take priority over sightseeing.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History fans and first-timers who want to see where German kings were elected and crowned.
- Families
- Older children enjoy the tower climb and the bell, but the narrow stairs are not suited to very small ones.
- Couples
- Climb the tower on a clear day, then wander the lanes of the New Old Town for a coffee.
- Pair with
- The Römerberg, the Historisches Museum and the Eiserner Steg.
- Time needed
- Thirty minutes to ninety minutes.
Good questions
Is Frankfurt Cathedral free to enter?+
The main church is open to visitors without a ticket, but access to the tower and the Dom Museum is arranged separately. Check the cathedral's own pages for current hours and any charges.
Why is it called the Kaiserdom?+
Kaiserdom means imperial cathedral. German kings were elected here from the Golden Bull of 1356, and from 1562 ten German emperors and kings were elected or crowned in the church.
How many steps are there to the tower platform?+
The viewing platform is at 66 metres and is reached by 328 steps. The staircase is narrow and used in both directions, so allow time and take it slowly.
What is the Gloriosa?+
It is the great bell in the west tower, weighing almost 12,000 kilograms and one of the heaviest swinging bells in Germany. It rings on major feast days.
What should I see nearby?+
The Römerberg and the New Old Town are directly beside the cathedral, and the Historisches Museum and the Eiserner Steg are a few minutes away.
