Our history

Late summer 1585. A group of 48 merchants, all of whom are foreign to Frankfurt and who have journeyed here for the trade fair, head to the town council. Their demand: a "regular exchange" should be introduced for trade fairs.

In the 16th century, the city of Frankfurt, which had enjoyed imperial privileges as a trade fair city since 1240, finally became a centre of international trade. The range of goods on offer was as diverse as the Babel of coins being used to purchase them – until the year 1585, when the merchants' request was granted. The Frankfurt exchange was born, laying the foundation for the subsequent development of Frankfurt into the finance capital that it is today.  

This was not to be the last time that the fortunes of the city and the trade fair were to be intertwined, for of Frankfurt's more than 1,200 years of existence, more than 850 years have been spent as a trade fair city. The events of 1585 therefore provide a particularly clear example of just how closely the fortunes of trade, exhibitions and finance were and are intertwined in Frankfurt am Main.

Historical continuity
Many things have taken on a different appearance in today's Frankfurt. The location where numerous emperors were crowned has long since developed into "Mainhattan", possibly the most American city in Europe, a city at the heart of the European finance and service industries. Yet a closer look reveals many areas where the historical continuity is still clear, areas which have characterised Frankfurt's fortune and history over the centuries.

Geographical Position at the crossroads of Europe
Its geographical position at the crossroads of Europe, a position which has offered Frankfurt am Main a priceless advantage since very early in its history and which is one of the foundations of its prosperity. Even in the middle ages, its location on the most important European trade route, from Paris via Frankfurt and Leipzig to Nizhny-Novgorod, meant that the mediaeval imperial city was well integrated into international trade routes, routes which centuries later would find their modern equivalent in high-performance infrastructure. Today Frankfurt is one of the key hubs of international trade, whether it be from New York, Rome, London, Moscow, Tokyo or Istanbul. No matter what mode of transport is chosen, be it car, train or plane, all roads lead to Frankfurt.