Eschenheimer Tower (Eschenheimer Turm) rises above a busy intersection at the northern edge of central Frankfurt. With its steep conical roof, four corner turrets and pale sandstone walls, the 47-metre Gothic gate tower is a striking survivor amid the modern streets around Eschenheimer Tor.
Completed around 1428, the tower once guarded a northern entrance through Frankfurt’s medieval city walls. Most of those fortifications have disappeared, making the tower a vivid reminder of the city before its rise as a financial centre. Its setting is part of the appeal: rather than standing in a secluded historic quarter, it shares the neighbourhood with offices, restaurants and the everyday traffic of central Frankfurt.
The exterior is free to admire, but the tower is not regularly open for interior visits, so check ahead if you hope to go inside. Eschenheimer Tor U-Bahn station is just beside it; from the Zeil shopping street, it’s an easy walk. Visit in the early morning or around dusk for softer light, then follow the nearby Eschenheimer Anlage to explore part of the green belt that traces Frankfurt’s former fortifications.