The classical façade
Stone columns, statues and inscriptions against a backdrop of modern glass towers. A striking contrast.
Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de — CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Bohao Zhao — CC BY 3.0 · Daderot — CC0 · Daderot — CC0
The Alte Oper is a large building with a classical columned front, standing on its own square among Frankfurt's glass towers. The contrast between the old stone and the modern glass around it is one of the city's most distinctive sights. It was built in 1880 as an opera house, destroyed by bombing in 1944 and left a ruin for decades. Frankfurters of the time called it the most beautiful ruin in Germany. In the 1970s a public fundraising campaign paid to rebuild it, and it reopened in 1981. But it is no longer an opera house: inside it is now a concert hall and conference centre. Frankfurt's actual opera performs in a different building. This confuses a lot of visitors. The façade and the square in front are free and always open. Going inside means a concert ticket, and the square has cafés and a fountain.
Stone columns, statues and inscriptions against a backdrop of modern glass towers. A striking contrast.
A wide square with a fountain and cafés in front of the building, pleasant to sit in the evening.
Opernplatz 1, 60313 Frankfurt am Main
Ring der StatuenThe Ring der Statuen is a group of sculptures set in a public space in Frankfurt3 minutes walk4.8
Main TowerThe Main Tower is a skyscraper in central Frankfurt and the only tower in the ci5 minutes walk4.5
Eschenheimer TurmA gate tower from the early fifteenth century, one of the very few survivals of 7 minutes walk4.4
Dialogue MuseumThe Dialogue Museum is not a museum in the ordinary sense: there are no exhibits7 minutes walk4.6
Goethe HouseJohann Wolfgang von Goethe was born here in 1749 — the most famous writer in Ger8 minutes walk4.3No. Despite the name, the building is now a concert hall and conference centre. Frankfurt's opera company performs at Oper Frankfurt, in a different part of the city.
Twenty minutes, yes, especially if you are already in the financial district. The façade is handsome and the contrast with the towers striking. But it is not a reason for a special trip.