![]() In 1888, its main railway station was officially opened to the public.īy the opening years of the 20th century, Frankfurt was home to some 400,000 people. In 1839, a railway line was built to connect both Wiesbaden (west) and Hochst (south-east), thus establishing the city's potential as a main rail junction. ![]() The 19th century saw Frankfurt emerge as a modern city. In 1804, work began on demolishing Frankfurt's fortifications and the remaining ground was transformed into lush parkland for the use of the city's inhabitants. The city's role as a military stronghold was also brought to an end. In 1792, the final imperial coronation was to be staged here. The revocation of the Edict of Nantes opened the city's gates to a flood of Huguenot refugees.īy the end of the 18th century, its royal ties were all but broken. Then, during the Thirty Years' War, the city was occupied by a Swedish garrison. There was social unrest, much of which was very much aimed at the city's Jewish community. The 17th century was a time of immense change in Frankfurt. By this point in its history, Frankfurt had become one of Germany's most affluent and important trading centres. The creation of a 'bourse' (stock exchange) here in 1585 meant that the city now had its own means of controlling and exchanging money. In the 15th century, the fair also dealt with weapons, textiles and some spices. It was to be the start of a connection between the city and the world's publishing community that continues to this day. In 1478, book merchants arrived in the city for their very first 'Frankfurt Fair'. As a member of the Reichstag, it was essentially a self-governing entity, answerable only to the Emperor himself. In 1372, Frankfurt had made such a name for itself that it was granted the title of 'Free Imperial City'. In the year of 1241, tax records document the fact that this was the most profitable city within the whole of Germany. This was helped considerably when powerful Frederick II granted visitors safe passage to Frankfurt. By the mid-13th century, the city had started to gain a reputation as an international trade fair centre. It had an annual Autumn fair from as early as 1150. Frederick I, a Holy Roman Emperor known as 'Barbarossa', was elected to be King of Germany here.įrankfurt in the Middle Ages was a lively city. There is evidence that, in 1074, a royal tariff was imposed. The city's royal connections continued throughout the Middle Ages. Emperor Ludwig Pious ordered that the city's most important residences be renovated. It was noted that Franconovurt, or 'City of the Franks', was the meeting place for an important ecclesiastical council of Franconian noblemen led by Emperor Charlemagne (Charles the Great).Ĭertainly, by 822 AD, Frankfurt had grown to become an important royal palatinate, a place where parliaments were held. The first mention of Frankfurt in official history records dates to 794 AD.
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