Langer Franz, Gothic tower at Römerberg, Frankfurt, Germany
Langer Franz is a Neo-Gothic tower attached to the southern wing of Frankfurt's Town Hall, known as the Römer, rising to about 60 meters (197 feet). It has four projecting corner turrets that lead up to a steep central spire.
The tower was built between 1900 and 1904 as part of a major urban renewal effort and named after Mayor Franz Adickes, who led the city at the time. His nickname, "Langer Franz" meaning "Tall Franz", came from his notably tall stature.
Glass mosaics on the eastern side show Saint Florian, while the western facade depicts the Archangel Michael. Both figures are set directly into the stone and are easy to notice as you walk around the building.
The tower sits right on Römerberg in the Old Town and is easy to reach on foot from most central points. A restoration project that started in spring 2024 has temporarily reduced access to the structure, so some views may be partly blocked.
The design of the tower goes back to a bridge tower from the 14th century that once stood on the opposite bank of the Main river. That earlier structure was torn down in 1765, and its architectural form was revived when this tower was built.
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