Alt-Sachsenhausen

Alt-Sachsenhausen is a historic district south of Frankfurt’s River Main, with timber-framed houses, cobbled lanes and gas lamps. Apple-wine taverns shape its street life. Narrow streets preserve medieval forms beside old houses and traditional street details. Taverns serve Ebbelwei, Frankfurt’s local apple wine.

Bars, clubs and restored fountains add present-day activity beside medieval buildings, many modernised after the war. Documents mention the village in the twelfth century. It once supplied Frankfurt with fish, fruit and vegetables, then became part of the city by the late nineteenth century. Sixteenth-century climate change weakened local wine production. Medieval residents drank beer and wine, while later orchards supported a different local tradition. Orchards helped establish apple wine.

The Kuhhirtenturm contains a museum dedicated to composer Hindemith. Restored fountains mark the quarter. The district holds an annual festival for these traditional water fountains, restored in the mid-twentieth century.