Frankfurt an der Oder is one of the largest cities in the state of Brandenburg, and it is today a border town with Poland and the city of Słubice on the opposite side of the Oder River. Frankfurt obtained city rights in 1253 and is known, among other things, for the Battle of Frankfurt an der Oder, which took place during the Thirty Years’ War between Swedish and Holy Roman troops. Incidentally, Słubice was part of Frankfurt until 1945, when the borders were moved.
Today, Frankfurt is thus only on the west bank of the Oder, and there are a number of sights in the cozy city center, which was rebuilt in a partially modern style after the destruction of the Second World War. On the central square, Marktplatz, you can see the city’s town hall, where you can visit the Brandenburgische Landesmuseum für moderne Kunst, which is a museum of moderne art that organizes changing exhibitions.
From the Marktplatz you can also see the Marienkirche, which was Frankfurt’s main church from the city’s founding. The church is one of the largest buildings in the so-called North German Brick Gothic. In the center you can also take a trip to the Friedenskirche, which stands as another of the city’s old churches, and you can also visit the Kleist Museum about the Prussian poet, playwright and writer Heinrich von Kleist.
When in Frankfurt, you should also enjoy a walk along the Oder with a view of the river and to Poland. Here you can e.g. see the large Friedensglocke, a bell from 1952 commemorating the agreement on the Oder-Neiße border and German-Polish friendship. Right at the bell, you can visit the cultural history Museum Viadrina, which is a city museum for Frankfurt with a fine introduction to the city’s history.
For centuries, the Marktplatz has been the natural center of Frankfurt an der Oder. Surrounded by the city hall, merchant houses and small shops, the square has always been a meeting place for both citizens and travelers. Markets were held here, where farmers and merchants met, and the square was also the setting for the city’s major festivals. The paved area and surrounding buildings reflect the city’s development from the Middle Ages to modern times.
After the destruction during the Second World War, the Marktplatz was rebuilt with respect for the historic city plan. The reconstruction combined elements of the architecture of the past with the functional building style of the 20th century, so that the square could still accommodate both commerce and public events. This creates a unique mix of historical and modern impressions that give the place character.
Today, the Marktplatz is buzzing with life all year round. It is here that Frankfurt’s Christmas markets are held, and you can experience city festivals and open-air concerts here. In season, the cafés’ outdoor seating offers a view of the historic town hall and the city’s citizens strolling around.
St. Marienkirche is an impressive example of North German brick Gothic, begun in the mid-13th century and completed over more than two centuries. The church towers over the city skyline with its high nave and towers, and its proportions of 77 meters long and 45 meters wide give a clear impression of medieval constructions in prosperous cities. The massive walls and high windows create an almost cathedral-like atmosphere.
Inside, the church is known for its magnificent stained glass windows, which were removed during World War II and only returned from Russia many years later. The restoration of these works was a long-term project that required both meticulous craftsmanship and international cooperation. The result is a unique splendor of colors that filters the light into the space and creates an atmospheric church space. Today, St. Marienkirche is an active church, but also a cultural venue with concerts and exhibitions.
The town hall in Frankfurt an der Oder is one of the city’s oldest secular buildings, and its roots date back to the 13th century. The Gothic facade is richly decorated with spires, spires and sculptures, testifying to the status and prosperity the city once enjoyed. Over time, the town hall has been expanded and renovated, but it has retained its historic core and still serves as a symbol of the city’s status.
Inside, you will find a mix of historic halls and modern furnishings, making the Rathaus both a workplace for the city’s administration and a place for cultural activities. Particularly noteworthy is the interaction between the old masonry and newer art installations, including works by metal artist Achim Kühn. The square in front of the town hall hosts markets, festivals and other events that you may be lucky enough to attend during a visit to the city.
Brandenburgisches Landesmuseum für moderne Kunst is a museum that has one of Germany’s most important collections of modern art from the GDR era and the period after reunification. The museum has exhibitions in several cities in the state of Brandenburg, including in the Rathaushallen on the Marktplatz and the Packhof by the river in Frankfurt an der Oder. The collection ranges from paintings and graphics to sculptures and installations, and both well-known and lesser-known artists are represented.
The Rathaushallen is housed in a Gothic building, where the high vaulted ceilings and brick walls create a dramatic setting for the art. The Packhof, on the other hand, offers a more open and modern exhibition environment, which is suitable for larger works and changing thematic exhibitions. Both places present art in dialogue with the historical context, and the museum actively works to create dialogue about East Germany’s cultural heritage.
The Friedenskirche is a striking landmark in Frankfurt an der Oder with its slender silhouette and peaceful atmosphere. It is a church that was originally built as the Nilokaikirche and served as a parish church. In more recent times, however, the church has taken on a special role as a symbol of peace and reconciliation, and the name Friedenskirche was added in 1929.
Today, the church is used for both religious services and cultural events. Concerts, lectures and intercultural meetings often take place in its bright and simple interior, which emphasizes the message of openness and dialogue. Many events here have a humanitarian or socially relevant dimension, which supports the church’s role as a meeting place that, even in a city with a turbulent history, can create space for peace.
The Peace Bell is a strong symbol in Frankfurt’s public space. The bell is a monument commemorating the signing of the Oder-Neisse Border Treaty as a result of the Görlitz Agreement. Traditionally, the bell can be heard ringing on September 1st to mark World Peace Day, and on it you can see the inscription Peace and Friendship with All Nations (Friede und Freundschaft mit allen Völkern).
The Peace Bell was donated at the suggestion of Georg Dertinger of the CDU party in the GDR. The three-ton iron bell was cast in the Schilling and Lattermann bell foundry in Morgenröthe in the Vogtland and was transported to Berlin on October 11, 1952. The inauguration took place in the capital on October 15, and the bell was erected in Frankfurt on January 27, 1953, on the occasion of the signing of the Oder-Neisse Border Treaty in the city. Today, the bell stands along the Oder River, thus on the border between Poland and Germany.
The Kleist Museum is a museum dedicated to the city’s most famous writer, Heinrich von Kleist. The museum is located in a former garrison building from the 18th century, which has been carefully restored and expanded with a modern extension in glass and steel. Behind the museum is a small garden, and behind it lies the Oder River, where you can take a leisurely stroll after the museum and enjoy the view of the river’s waters, which form the border with Poland.
The permanent exhibition at the Kleist Museum is called “Rätsel. Kämpfe. Brüche”, and it unfolds Kleist’s life and works through original manuscripts, portraits and interactive installations. Visitors gain insight into his complex personality, his literary style and his influence on German literature. Temporary special exhibitions are also available, shedding light on related topics in literature, history and art.
The Museum Viadrina is a museum located in the Junkerhaus, a representative building from the Renaissance. The building itself is a cultural and historical monument. The museum tells the story of Frankfurt an der Oder from the Middle Ages to the present day, with a particular focus on the city’s role as a trading center and university city.
The exhibitions range from archaeological finds and historical maps to objects that illustrate everyday life in different eras. Special themes include the history of the university, the city’s trade with Poland and its cultural development. The museum’s collections provide a broad and detailed picture of the region’s past and can be a good place to start a visit to the city.
Lennépark is Frankfurt’s green haven, which was laid out in the mid-19th century by the famous landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné. The park was designed in the English garden style with winding paths, open lawns and groups of trees that create varying spatialities. Already at the entrance you feel a calmness that contrasts with the busy streets of the city.
Small streams run through the park, and there are ponds that reflect the surroundings and attract both birds and small animals. Fountains and artificial waterfalls add a gentle trickle to the soundscape, and the many benches provide an opportunity to sit down and enjoy the view. The park’s design means that you constantly discover new details, depending on the season.
The Karl-Marx-Denkmal in Frankfurt an der Oder is a striking memorial erected during the GDR era as a tribute to the German philosopher and social theorist Karl Marx. The monument consists of a powerful bronze bust resting on a solid plinth and is located in a central square where it is visible to passers-by. The construction of the monument reflected the political and ideological importance that Marx’s thoughts had in East Germany at the time, and it functioned as a symbol of the values of the labor movement and the socialist state ideology.
After German reunification, the monument changed its character from being a political symbol to being a cultural-historical testimony to an important period in the city’s history. It has been preserved as part of the public space and gives both locals and visitors the opportunity to reflect on the GDR era and the ideas that characterized society at that time. Today, the Karl Marx Monument is part of the historical story of Frankfurt an der Oder as a city that has experienced major political and social changes.
The Concert Hall Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach is housed in a former Franciscan monastery church from the 14th century. The three-nave Gothic building impresses with its high vaults and narrow windows, which create an intimate but at the same time solemn atmosphere. Originally, the place naturally served as a church, but today it is a cultural beacon for the entire region.
After extensive restoration, the church was converted into a concert hall with acoustics that are praised by musicians from all over the world. The two characteristic entrance doors, Heiteres Tor and Ernstes Tor, symbolize the lightness and seriousness of art respectively – a balance that is reflected in the house’s program. Both the Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester and international guests perform here.
Ziegenwerder is an elongated island in the middle of the Oder River. It is located along the center of Frankfurt an der Oder and is connected to the city by a footbridge and a promenade. The island has long been a recreational area for the city’s citizens who seek peace and fresh air close to the center. The open terrain and the many trees give the impression of untouched nature in the middle of the city and halfway between Poland and Germany.
The paths along the water invite both walking and cycling, and there are several viewpoints from which you can observe the river and the neighboring Polish town of Słubice on the opposite bank. In spring and summer, the area is characterized by birdsong and flowering vegetation, while autumn provides a colorful canopy of leaves. The island’s tranquility also makes it suitable for photography and birdwatching.
Słubice is a Polish city located on the eastern bank of the Oder River, opposite the German city of Frankfurt an der Oder. The city was formerly part of Frankfurt, but after the border was changed in 1945, it became an independent Polish city. Its location makes it a natural link between Poland and Germany, both historically and today. The city center is characterized by wide streets, small shops and marketplaces, where Polish everyday life can be experienced up close.
As a university city, Słubice is home to the Collegium Polonicum, a joint project between the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt an der Oder. This institution acts as a cultural and academic link between the two countries and attracts students from all over Europe. The combination of Polish and German study environments gives the city an international feel, and you often meet students in cafes or along the river promenade.
You can take a walk along the pedestrian street Jedności Robotniczej, and close to it is the Pomnik Wikipedii, a monument dedicated to Wikipedia. Słubice is also known for its green riverside area and for the short walk across the bridge to Frankfurt an der Oder. The bridge serves not only as a physical connection, but as a symbol of the modern cooperation and neighborliness between the two cities. Many visitors choose to explore both cities in one day, providing a unique experience of two cultures living side by side, each retaining its own distinct identity.
Berlin is the capital of Germany and a city with approximately 3.5 million inhabitants, which makes it one of Europe’s great metropolises and with a great history. The city is the old residence of the Hohenzollern and for centuries the center of the great German cultural nation, which has given the world countless famous artists, thinkers and scientists.
Berlin was in many ways also the center of the world throughout the 20th century. It was here that the Cold War was at its hottest with the United States and the Soviet Union on either side of the Berlin Wall. The wall is gone today, but you can see parts of it around the city, where the pieces form monuments to the divided time.
Today, there are lots of beautiful buildings in Berlin, from the styles of the last several centuries to the constructions of the modern era, which have taken place in abundance since the German reunification became a reality in 1990. An interesting and conscious mix of styles can also be seen in the Reichstag building as one of many great sights.
Cottbus is a city in eastern Germany, and it is the second largest city in the state of Brandenburg. Cottbus is also the unofficial capital of the Sorbs, a Slavic minority in this part of the country. It was the Sorbs who founded Cottbus by building a fort on an island in the river Spree in the 10th century, and a few centuries later German settlers followed.
Today, Cottbus is a cozy place where you can go for some wonderful strolls in the low-rise streets of the old town. You can start at the Altmarkt square, which is surrounded by gabled houses that create a fine urban space, and from here there is a view of the Oberkirche St. Nikolai, which is a late Gothic brick church from the 15th and 16th centuries. The church is worth seeing, and it has a large and bright interior.
Frankfurt an der Oder, Germany
Overview of Frankfurt an der Oder
Frankfurt an der Oder is one of the largest cities in the state of Brandenburg, and it is today a border town with Poland and the city of Słubice on the opposite side of the Oder River. Frankfurt obtained city rights in 1253 and is known, among other things, for the Battle of Frankfurt an der Oder, which took place during the Thirty Years’ War between Swedish and Holy Roman troops. Incidentally, Słubice was part of Frankfurt until 1945, when the borders were moved.
Today, Frankfurt is thus only on the west bank of the Oder, and there are a number of sights in the cozy city center, which was rebuilt in a partially modern style after the destruction of the Second World War. On the central square, Marktplatz, you can see the city’s town hall, where you can visit the Brandenburgische Landesmuseum für moderne Kunst, which is a museum of moderne art that organizes changing exhibitions.
From the Marktplatz you can also see the Marienkirche, which was Frankfurt’s main church from the city’s founding. The church is one of the largest buildings in the so-called North German Brick Gothic. In the center you can also take a trip to the Friedenskirche, which stands as another of the city’s old churches, and you can also visit the Kleist Museum about the Prussian poet, playwright and writer Heinrich von Kleist.
About the travel guide
Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
Published: Released soon
Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English
About the travel guide
The Frankfurt an der Oder travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the German city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.
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Read more about Frankfurt an der Oder and Germany
France Travel Guide: vamados.com/germany
City tourism: visitfrank-furtoder.de
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