Fronhofturm

The Fronhofturm was a medieval watchtower in Frankfurt am Main’s old city walls. It stood on the south-eastern edge near Fahrgasse, guarding the open Fishermen’s Field beyond. Built into the older Staufenmauer in 1350, it was raised in 1406 before being pulled down in 1793 as the fortifications were removed. The tower marked the end of Predigergasse, where it met Fahrgasse close to the cathedral choir. Next to it lay the Arnsburger Hof, while across the lane stood the Kompostellhof pilgrim hostel and the Fronhof, an estate belonging to St Bartholomew’s Stift. To the north stood the 1356 Mönchsturm at the Dominican monastery, and to the south the Fischerfeldpförtchen gate led down to the Main quayside. Today nothing of the tower remains above ground. The site lies under the city works yard on Kurt-Schumacher-Straße, just south of Rechneigrabenstraße. The medieval streets and ditch have vanished, leaving only the memory of a once vital link in Frankfurt’s defences.