The institute of town history - the City Archive of Frankfurt

Main entrance of the Institute of town history in Frankfurt. 

Picture: A.Murmann CC-BY-SA 4.0

The archive of the city of Frankfurt am Main is one of the largest municipal archives in Germany. Under the name Institute for City History, it collects all historically and legally significant documents of Frankfurt city history. This includes files from city authorities, maps and plans, court files and newspapers. The collection of historical photos and films is particularly in demand among users. The archive has existed since 1436 and is now housed in the rooms of the former Carmelite monastery in Frankfurt's old town. In addition to the underground magazines at the main location, there is also a branch office where the restoration workshop is located. The most important document of the archive is the Frankfurt copy of the "Golden Bull", the law, which regulates the election of the German kings. This document from 1356 has been listed as an UNESCO World Heritage in 2013. Its name refers to the golden seal attached to it.

Our students had the chance to visit the archive with three different groups and also to see the restoration workshop two times. Thanks a lot to the people of the institute.