September 7, 2014

• An Eastward Homage, Day 30, Part II: The Main Is For Revelry

  June 25, 2014- Returning to Frankfurt, after nearly a month, I decided to walk north along the left bank of the Main (“Mine”) River and back south, along the right bank, noting some sights along the way.  So, after settling in at Pension Alpha, chosen for its proximity to the Train Station, and enjoying a fabulous meal of braised lamb at a Bosnian restaurant named Imbiss Sarajevo, I headed out to the river bank.

  Frankfurters love their river.  I could see people celebrating their Wednesday evening, up and down both banks of the watercourse. Of course, this night featured Germany vs. USA, in a World Cup match, so the fact that all Frankfurt was out and about had even more cachet.

  The first place I passed was Judisches Museum. (Photo courtesy of http://www.freizestars.de)  Although it was evening, and the Museum was closed, I was glad to see such a prominent place for Judaism and its heritage in German life.

  

   

  The Left Bank in this area is called Untermainkai, or “lower quay of the Main”. (Photo courtesy ofhttp://www.tripadvisor.com)

   

  

   

  By the way, a frequent commentator on this site is constantly wondering why I don’t use canned article formats from Google.  The reason is simple, my posts need to reflect MY thoughts and MY style.  Instant doesn’t cut it; so, thanks but no thanks.

  Back to lovely Frankfurt.  Karmeliter Kloster is basically what the name implies, a cloister for Carmelite monks, or it was,from 1246-1803.  Now, it is an institute for Urban History and an Archaeological Museum. (Both photos courtesy of http://www.frankfurt.de)

  

   

  

   

  St. Leonhardskirche, a Catholic facility, offered services in English, for foreign residents and visitors.  It is closed for renovation, until 2016. (Photo courtesy of http://www.commons.wikipedia.org)

  

   

  Alte Nikolaikirche is a Lutheran church, just east of Frankfurt City Hall, in Romerberg (City Hall Square). (Photo courtesy of de.wikipedia.org)

   

  

   

  Romerberg itself is one area I would like to explore further, on another visit. (Photo courtesy ofhttp://www.commons.wikipedia.org)

   

  

   

  The Square was every bit as busy as the river banks, very similar to the scene in this file photo.

  The Dom St. Bartholomaus, or Frankfurt Cathedral, lies “behind”, or north of, Romerberg.  The cathedral was closed also, but here is what I saw of the exterior. (Photo courtesy ofhttp://www.commons.wikipedia.org)

   

   

  

   

  About a block from the Dom, I crossed to the Right Bank, using Floesserbruecke. (Photo courtesy ofhttp://www.holidaychecker.de).  The foot traffic was heavy, in both directions.

  

  The Right Bank is largely a Museum District.  There is one Catholic church near the river:  Deutschordenskirche, or German Medal Church.

   

   

   

  

   

  It is not far from there that there were sizable crowds gathered along the river bank, until twilight- which was still ten o’clock.  This is the area called Schaumainkai. (Photo courtesy ofhttp://www.skyscrapercity.com)

  

  The Flohmarkt (Flea Market)  is also here during the day on Friday and Saturday. (Photo courtesy ofhttp://www.panoramio.com)

  

   

  There are about five large museums in this district.  Here are views of two of those:  Museum der Weltkulturen (World Cultures). (Photo courtesy of en.wikipedia.org)

   

  

   

  and Museum Giersch, which houses art and other cultural treasures of the Main River Valley. (Photo courtesy of http://www.lonelyplanetimages.com)

   

   

   

   

  

   

  It was time for me to go back across to the Hauptbanhof area, and take in the rest of the World Cup match, being televised at a Brasserie patio.  So, Friedensbruecke provided the means. (Photo courtesy of http://www.panoramio-frankfurt.de)

   

  

   

  Although it appears to lie in a wealthy financial district, Friedensbruecke has a lively and prolific underground arts scene. (Photo courtesy of jwmn.naxosban.de)

  

   

  The patio was full for a while, when  I arrived, so I stood at the railing for about a half hour.  A seat opened up and it was my turn for coffee and ice cream, while watching Team Germany prevail, 1-0.  I did not call attention to my secret longing for an American victory, needless to say.  The gentleman sitting at my table left, as soon as the match ended, but his credit card fold did not.  So, after getting that bit of hardware to the Brasserie manager, I savoured the rest of a very delectable mocha ice cream “Decadence”, before calling it a night.

  NEXT:  The Baha’i House of Worship at Langenhain

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