Station: [08] Main-Panorama

For Frankfurt merchants, the Main River was the most important link to the world. The river harbour at Fahrtor was the central turnaround and trading hub for goods and articles of all kinds. Wine was the most important article traded. The large panorama painting of the Main River by Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt shows the throbbing Frankfurt harbour at Fahrtor between the Toll Tower and St. Leonhard’ church. The painting was made in 1757 and shows a cross section of the contemporary Frankfurt population – from fishermen or crane operators to distinguished burghers and aristocrats. At the center of the picture: a winching crane for loading and unloading goods, as well as wheelbarrows, carts, beasts of burden, ships, barges and goods are depicted.