St. Paul’s Church, or Paulskirche, is one of Frankfurt’s most significant historic monuments. Behind its red sandstone neoclassical exterior, the first freely elected German national parliament met in 1848–49. Delegates from across the German states gathered here to debate a constitution, making the building an enduring symbol of German democracy.
Originally completed as a Lutheran church in 1833, the Paulskirche was destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt in time for the parliament’s centenary in 1948. Its restrained postwar interior is different from the space the delegates knew, but the oval assembly hall still gives a sense of the building’s civic purpose. An exhibition explores the history of the National Assembly and its place in Germany’s democratic story.
The Paulskirche is in Frankfurt’s Altstadt, a short walk from the Römer and the Main riverfront. Römer/Paulskirche U-Bahn station is nearby. Admission is generally free, but check opening times and access before visiting: the building hosts official ceremonies and may close for events or renovation work. A weekday morning is a good time to combine a visit with a quieter walk around the old town.