Locals sometimes refer to Bornheim as “Das lustige Dorf,” meaning the “Merry Village.” More than 100 years ago it was the red-light district of Frankfurt am Main. Today, Bornheim remains one of the liveliest parts of the city and is filled with shops, restaurants, pubs, cafés and long-established cider-houses. Stroll along Bornheim’s streets and discover some of its beautiful buildings, including a history museum, the former town hall and several churches.
Berger Straße is the main street in Bornheim. Wander down this charming boulevard to find the famous restaurant Apfelwein-Solzer, and the historic tavern Zur Sonne. Here taste some of the best traditional Apfelwein (apple wine) in the city. In this area notice the Old Town Hall of Bornheim. Admire the elegant half-timbered building built in 1770. Take note of its intricately carved front door.
The Bernemer Museumslädchen on Turmstraße is one of the smallest museums in Frankfurt. Stop off at this charming little building to learn about the district’s history and see interesting art exhibits.
Visit the church Johanniskirche (St. John’s Church), a Baroque-style building constructed between 1778 and 1781 by the renowned German architect Johann Andreas Liebhardt.
Another interesting church is St. Joseph’s Church. The red building features on its façade a big statue of St. Joseph by the German sculptor Arnold Hensler. In the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche (Holy Cross Church) look for four famous white sculptures on the western exterior wall of the church. The figures have the heads of an eagle, a bull, a lion and a human to represent the evangelists.
To reach Bornheim and to move around the area use the Frankfurt subway U-Bahn lines. The Bornheim Mitte subway station is in the centre of the district, along Berger Straße itself. In this station you will also find the starting point of several bus lines and the tramline Straßenbahn Frankfurt am Main.