Architecture buffs won’t want to miss the extensive collection of scale models housed within the German Architecture Museum. See everything from Egyptian temples to ancient palaces and some of Frankfurt’s own modern skyscrapers.
The German Architecture Museum (Deutsches Architekturmuseum or DAM) is itself a mix of old and new architecture. The exhibits are housed within a sleek contemporary building that is in turn housed in a 19th-century villa. Wander beneath grand neoclassical pillars and then into a modern world of steel and glass.
The museum’s permanent collection is an ode to the history of architecture. The exhibit “From Primitive Hut to Skyscraper” is a display of 25 models of important buildings from ancient Egypt to today. Learn about the design and discover the stories behind each of the buildings. Descriptions are in German and English.
One of the most important buildings in the world is London’s Crystal Palace. At DAM, you can discover how the enormous crystal and glass building was made and why it’s still so famous today. See inside an Egyptian temple from 1400 B.C. and learn about some of the buildings that make up Frankfurt’s modern skyline, including the distinctive cylindrical design of Main Tower.
Check out DAM’s temporary exhibitions, which focus on contemporary movements in architecture. Visit during summer when there are workshops for children or attend one of the weekly lectures held in the museum. See DAM’s official website to find out what’s on.
Stop for a break in the café on the first floor, where large windows offer views of the city.
The German Architecture Museum lies on the south bank of the Main River. It’s just one in the collection of world-class museums in the Museum Embankment. Take the U-Bahn to Schweizer Platz and walk from there. You’ll find plenty of car parks in garages nearby.
The museum is open daily and there’s a fee to enter.
