~ Frankfurt am Main, 25.04.2025 ~

I was in Frankfurt am Main on a business trip, and with the story of Girls' Frontline moving to that very city, I was curious to see it for myself (in what little time I had).

The view from the banks of the Main is impressive, with the cluster of modern skyscrapers between gothic church spires.

The Eiserner Steg bridge is a lot smaller in real life than the impression of it you get in Girls' Frontline.

The Röerber square was largely destroyed during the 2nd World War, but te iconic town hall and many other buildings were faithfully rebuilt later.

The Paulskirche, notable for hosting the parliament of the failed revolution of 1848/49, was nearby too.

Down the street is the spacious St. Bartholomew. It's rather restless however, with tourists filing in and out all the time.

The streets behind and between these sites are a dire sight. Shady figures, dingy kiosks, towering soulless postwar buildings. For how impressive Frankfurt's famous sights are, it is better not to explore much beyond them.

While I do hope I get to come here again (in more flattering weather) to see more of this city, it is heartbreaking to imagine what a magnificent city it must have been before the war.