Frankfurt is Europe's financial centre and Germany's main trade fair city, reknown for its imposing skyline. The city in the heart of Germany and Europe offers a fascinating mixture of old and new, global and local, traditions and innovations. For example, close to the modern skyscrapers, you can find cosy “Ebbelwei“(cider) pubs. The Kaiserdom (Cathedral) and the famous Paulskirche, the cradle of German democracy, are located in Frankfurt as well as outstanding museums such as the art museums Städel and Schirn, the film museum and architecture museum.
The GeoTraining excursions offer an insight into German society, culture and environment.
Biodiversity in and around Frankfurt
In the middle of Frankfurt, we find the Botanical Garden which was built for the citizens of Frankfurt.
The 200 years old Senckenberg Museum, called the “world of biodiversity”, offers one of the most important natural history collections in Europe. Many of the thousands exhibits are unique in the world or extremely rare.
The biosphere reserve Pfälzer Wald is only one hour away from Frankfurt, located at the border to France. It is the biggest forest-area in Germany. Since 1992 this area has been a biosphere reserve, following these aims: conservation of genetic resources, species, and ecosystems; scientific research and monitoring; promoting sustainable development in communities of the surrounding region. The forest and the sandstone are main natural characteristics of the area – perfect to explore by hiking and visiting the biosphere information centre.
At the border to the Pfälzer Wald we find also one of Germanys best wine growing areas. A culture of wine has evolved as part of life and is worth a visit and a taste.
The national park and UNESCO world heritage Kellerwald-Edersee is situated within the beech forest landscape of north Hesse, about 150 kilometres north of Frankfurt. The first national park in Hesse protects one of the last large beech forests in Central Europe which is neither dissected by roads nor settlements on a total surface area of 5,735 ha. It is part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage “Ancient German Beech Forest” and one of the 16 national parks of Germany. Sustainable conservation, protection and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage of the area is the focus of this national park.