Kaisersaal, Imperial hall in Römerberg district, Germany

The Kaisersaal is the ceremonial hall on the upper floor of the Römer, Frankfurt's city hall. Its flat ceiling was replaced in 1612 by a wooden vault painted with grotesque figures by Johan Hoffmann, and the windows were enlarged using former attic openings. The walls carry full-length portraits of 52 German monarchs, from Charlemagne to Franz II.

Since 1612, the space has hosted grand celebrations for emperor coronations when the Frankfurt city council held ceremonial banquets. The room became a symbol of Frankfurt's importance as the place where German kings were elected.

The walls display a collection of ruler portraits that visitors can study while walking through the space. These paintings shape how the room looks and tell the story of the empire's political past.

You can visit on most days, but check ahead since the city administration sometimes closes it for events. A quick call or online check can save you from an unexpected closure and ensure you can see the room.

The 52 full-length ruler portraits were funded largely by donations: the Austrian imperial family paid for nine, and three artists—Julius Hübner, Johann David Passavant and Ferdinand Fellner—painted their works at their own expense. Philipp Veit, director of the Städel institute, painted Charlemagne himself to complete the series in 1853.