Barfüßerkirche, Former Franciscan monastery in Frankfurt am Main, Germany
The Barfüßerkirche was a Gothic structure in Frankfurt am Main that underwent various architectural changes and modifications over its lifetime. It remained standing until 1782 and was demolished in 1787 to make room for the Paulskirche.
The church was founded in the 1230s under Franciscan control and remained so until 1529, when the Protestant Reformation prompted its transfer to city administration. This shift represented a major turning point in how Frankfurt's religious institutions were governed.
The monastery held deep roots in Frankfurt's community and attracted donations from local nobles who supported its work. It functioned as a gathering place for city brotherhoods that met here for worship and organized charitable activities together.
The site no longer exists today, but its former location is easy to explore in Frankfurt's old town. Visitors can find the spot where the Paulskirche now stands, which took over the original ground after demolition.
A clergyman delivered the first Protestant sermon within its walls in 1522, years before the city assumed control of the building. This event shows how rapidly Frankfurt's religious landscape was shifting during the Reformation period.
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