Where once massive bastions and moats protected the city, Frankfurt residents and visitors now stroll in the shade of ancient trees. Since the old fortifications had become useless against modern weapons in 1805, the city made a far-sighted decision: the ramparts were demolished and transformed into a ring-shaped promenade.

A stroke of historical genius was the rampart easement: anyone who bought a plot of land at that time was obligated to landscape it. This law is still in effect today and protects the green belt from development. When the city gardener Sebastian Rinz transformed the area into an English landscape park starting in 1808, even Goethe's mother was delighted: she wrote to her son that the city was now surrounded by a park, and that one would think it was a "Feerrey" (fairytale).

Today, the seven former ramparts comprise:

1. Untermainanlage

2. Gallusanlage

3. Taunusanlage

4. Bockenheimer Anlage

5. Eschenheimer Anlage

6. Friedberger Anlage

7. Obermainanlage

an essential contrast to the skyline. Whether it's a lunch break in the banking district, a morning jog, or children playing by the pond: the city's ramparts are the green heart and social hub of the city.

Further information about the locations and history can be found on the City of Frankfurt's official website about the Wallanlagen (ramparts).