Demokratie bauen!

Rathaustour: Frankfurter Römer bis nach Heusenstamm

The tour begins at Frankfurt’s Römer, passing through Offenbach on its way to Heusenstamm. Local experts take participants on a journey through the history and present-day life of the town hall building.

In Frankfurt, Frank Seibold from Frankfurter Stadtgeschichten guides the group through the Römer – a town hall that has shaped the city’s identity for centuries. In Offenbach, Dr Jürgen Eichenauer from the Haus der Stadtgeschichte introduces the group to the local town hall’s history and the newly refurbished council chamber. The tour concludes in Heusenstamm, where Roland Krebs from the Local History Society and historian Michael Kern provide fascinating insights into the development of the town hall and its significance for the local community. As a ‘temple of democracy’, the town hall in the castle impressively demonstrates how closely architecture and democratic culture are intertwined.

Cost: €10 / €5 for students, school pupils and trainees (including a public transport ticket)

Start and finish: Frankfurt; the meeting point will be provided upon registration

Registration required: Please register by email with the subject line “Registration for Town Hall Tour” to info@krfrm.de

This trip is part of six day trips by coach, public transport or bicycle connect town halls in both small and larger towns. 

Town halls symbolise local self-government, which is a key pillar of democracy. They foster a sense of local identity and shape community life. These tours invite you to rediscover these places. On site, experts explain the local history and unique features of the buildings. Participants gain an insight into council chambers – places where decisions are made that shape our everyday lives.

On 12 September, the “Taunus Tour” will travel by bus from Bad Soden via Eppstein to Idstein, and on 19 September, the “Town Halls by Bike” tour will visit Rüsselsheim and Bischofsheim. Further tours will take participants to Groß-Umstadt, Michelstadt, Miltenberg, Hanau, Aschaffenburg, Büdingen, Ortenberg and Hainburg. Hainburg is home to one of the region’s most modern town halls, which has received multiple awards for its architectural design.