On May 21, 2025, I arrived in Frankfurt, Germany, aboard the M/V River Harmony, which docked smoothly at Berth 15 on the banks of the Main River. The day was calm, with warm spring sunshine and a soft breeze hinting that summer was close behind. Although Frankfurt is often described as a financial capital, I was more interested in discovering the city’s soul—its hidden churches, centuries-old architecture, and quiet places that don’t make headlines.
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| Sailing into Frankfurt |
After a relaxing lunch onboard, I stepped ashore for a self-guided afternoon in the city. From the pier, it was just a five-minute walk to Tram Stop #11: Frankfurt (Main) Osthafenplatz, located at 60314 Frankfurt am Main. Board on the south side of the road and watch for Tram Route 11 to Zuckschwerdtstraße. It will provide a scenic and efficient way to reach Frankfurt’s historic center.
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| Photo: Public Domain |
I boarded tram #11 and rode it into the heart of the city, getting off at the Römer/Paulskirche stop—ideally located for exploring Frankfurt’s historic market square and some of the most treasured landmarks. From the tram stop, it was only a short 2–3 minute walk to one of the city’s loveliest hidden gems.
The Alte Nikolaikirche is a modest yet historically rich Protestant parish church that dates back to around 1150. With its red-and-white exterior, stepped gables, and slender Gothic windows, it blends quietly into the surrounding architecture—but its story is anything but ordinary. Originally built as a chapel for the royal palace, it served the city's early rulers before becoming a parish church in the 13th century. Despite wars, plagues, and the passage of centuries, the church has remained a fixture in Frankfurt’s spiritual and civic life. Today, the sound of its carillon bells, which ring several times daily, adds a timeless charm to the historic square it has watched over for nearly 900 years.
I wandered through Römerberg, Frankfurt’s postcard-perfect town square lined with charming half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets.
Another highlight of the afternoon was my visit to the majestic Frankfurt Cathedral, officially known as Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus. Built from deep red sandstone, its 95-meter-high Gothic spire rises dramatically over the city. Once the coronation site of Holy Roman Emperors, the cathedral feels both grand and grounded in history. Inside, I was mesmerized by the soaring vaulted ceilings and a richly gilded altarpiece that glowed softly in the filtered light. It was one of those places where time seems to pause.
Before heading back to the ship, I took a quiet detour across a pedestrian bridge spanning the Main River. The railings were covered in thousands of love locks, each left behind by couples as a symbol of their shared stories. Some were shiny and new, others rusted with age, but together they formed a patchwork of love and memory. I paused mid-bridge to take it all in—the shimmer of the water, the old city skyline to one side, and Frankfurt’s modern glass towers to the other. It was a fitting reflection of the city itself: rooted in history, but always moving forward.
After some time exploring on foot, I hopped back on Tram 11, riding it all the way to the end of the line to Zuckschwerdtstraße and then returning on the route headed for Schießhüttenstraße, which brought me back to my starting point near the pier.
By 5:30 PM, I was back on board River Harmony, relaxed and grateful. In just a few short hours, I had seen Gothic spires, trams full of life, quiet altars, and iron railings bursting with romance. Frankfurt had offered far more than I expected—and I was glad I’d taken the time to look beyond the headlines.
#River Cruise 2025#Germany#Frankfurt#love locks
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