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| Offenbach am Main | ||
| federal state | Hesse | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 128.744 (2019) | |
| height | 98 m | |
| Tourist info | 49 (0)69 840 00 41 70 www.offenbach.de/kultur-und-tourismus/dir-45/stadtinformation.php | |
| location | ||
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Offenbach is the neighboring city of Frankfurt am Main in the Rhine Main Area in Hesse and is on Main.
background
Offenbach was in the past an important industrial city and, among other things, a center of the leather industry in Germany. This resulted in the rivalry with Frankfurt, which continues to this day, since such industrial companies were undesirable in Frankfurt as a traditional trade fair and service city; Frankfurt only received the first notable industry in 1928 with the incorporation of the suburbs of Höchst am Main and Fechenheim on the western and eastern sides City limits. In Offenbach you can complain about Frankfurt (and vice versa), but in Offenbach you should refrain from saying bad words about your own city or even praising your neighbors.
The rivalry is also evident in the "Hessen derbies", namely when Eintracht Frankfurt meet the Offenbacher Kickers in football. The whole of Hesse then takes sides for one side or the other - tending to Offenbach and the municipalities of the Offenbach district for the Kickers, Frankfurt and the rest of Hesse for the unity. Unfortunately, these games have become rarer since the Kickers were relegated, but they still exist occasionally, for example. B. at the DFB Cup.
The historic city center of Offenbach am Main was destroyed by bombing raids during the Second World War, the remains were torn down as part of the "car-friendly city" in favor of new main roads. That is why you will look in vain for a real historical town center with half-timbered houses in Offenbach;
Offenbach has the highest proportion of foreigners of all cities in Germany. Historically, rents in Offenbach were dirt cheap despite its proximity to Frankfurt, which is why many guest workers took up residence here (which can still be seen in the numerous large housing estates in the city). Offenbach has only recently tried to become attractive for higher income groups, e. B. through the construction of luxury apartments in the former Offenbacher Hafen.
For some people, Offenbach is also likely to be the seat of the German weather service be known. What is less well known is that Offenbach also has the Federal monopoly administration for spirits is located.
Districts
- Downtown: Old town, city center, downtown area
- Beaver
- Bürgel
- Kaiserlei
- Lauterborn
- Rosenhöhe
- Rumpenheim
- Temple Lake
- Waldheim
getting there
By plane
The nearest airport is the international one Frankfurt am Main airport. From there you can take the S-Bahn every quarter of an hour in 27 minutes to Offenbach's city center, but not to the main train station.
By train
The 1 Offenbach Central Station
has almost completely lost its formerly great importance. Only the regional express from Frankfurt to Fulda and the regional train from Frankfurt to Wächtersbach stop here, as well as a train from / to Würzburg and from / to Wiebelsbach-Heubach every two hours. Long-distance trains no longer stop in Offenbach.
Much more important are the S-Bahn stations, which run in a tunnel below the city center. It's from west to east 2 Offenbach-Kaiserlei, 3 Offenbach Leather Museum, 4 Offenbach market square and, already above ground, 5 Offenbach East. Kaiserlei, Marktplatz and Offenbach Ost are also important junctions for urban bus transport. The connection of several S-Bahn lines results in a very frequent cycle in the tunnel, sometimes a train comes every 5-10 minutes.
By bus
The closest connection option to the Long-distance bus transport is the Long-distance bus station Frankfurt (Main), which is located immediately south of the main train station.
In the street
 | In Offenbach am Main were Environmental zones established in accordance with the fine dust ordinance. Without a corresponding sticker, you risk a fine of € 80 when entering an environmental zone. This also applies to foreign road users. Entry ban for vehicles in pollutant groups 1 2 3 (Info Federal Environment Agency) |  |
This is the central hub for the journey to Offenbach 
52/17 Offenbacher Kreuz at the 
. Here you can change directly to the country road to Offenbach (the cross should therefore correctly be called "Offenbacher Fünfeck"). From the Offenbacher Kreuz leads the 
west past Offenbach with the two connection points 
16 Offenbach-Taunusring and 15 Offenbach-Kaiserlei. In the direction of Würzburg (not in the direction of Cologne!) The Offenbacher Kreuz is known for permanent traffic jams, there are really no sensible alternatives.
Two bridges lead over the Main near Offenbach. In addition to the Kaiserleibrücke, over which the motorway leads, there is also the Carl-Ulrich-Brücke to Fechenheim. This is a secret route that is well-known among locals and is particularly popular during rush-hour traffic to get out of Offenbach towards the east without traffic jams. Although the passage through Fechenheim is actually only allowed for residents, nobody adheres to it and it is not checked.
By boat
There is the possibility to take the ferry from Maintal-Bischofsheim over the Main to Rumpenheim. The ferry docks directly at the foot of the castle and is an impressive sight.
Otherwise, arriving by ship is unusual. The excursion boats on the Main regularly dock on the banks of the Main near Isenburg Castle.
By bicycle
Offenbach is the station of the Main cycle path.
mobility
Public transport
Public transport in Offenbach is operated by the Offenbacher Verkehrsbetriebe carried out. These operate 9 lines (lines 101-108 and 120), which largely cover the Offenbach city area. Bus 103 takes you to neighboring Frankfurt (there is a connection to tram line 12 and underground line U7), while bus 120 goes via Mühlheim to Obertshausen.
Offenbach no longer has a tram. While the company's own operation was discontinued shortly after the Second World War, there was a line of the Frankfurt tram that led to Offenbach's market square for years. After long local protests, this line was cut in the 1990s and has since ended exactly at the Offenbach city limits.
The horrific fare for a trip to neighboring Frankfurt is almost legendary. Even if you only want to cross the city limits a few meters, you have to pay the full price for price level 4 - that is well over 4 euros, and the trend is rising. A day pass is already worthwhile for the outward and return journey, so if you want to go to Frankfurt several times a day, you should consider this. Otherwise it says: Offenbach or Frankfurt - you can decide.
bicycle
Cycling is not a problem in Offenbach: the city ran a pilot project here with the bicycle rental company Nextbike. The 13 bike rental stations, which are mainly located along the S-Bahn stations and at important traffic junctions, have meanwhile been sold to Deutsche Bahn and integrated into the Call-a-Bike system.
The network of bike paths in the city is quite impressive. However, there are restrictions for the pedestrian zone, you may have to push your bike here.
Park
There is no longer any possibility to park for free in Offenbach. The last "bastion", the large car park directly on the banks of the Main, is now also chargeable.
Most of the parking garages in the city are not operated by the municipality, but by private providers. Therefore, sometimes horrendous prices are charged for parking. Some of them are not easy to find even for non-residents (Offenbach has no parking guidance system and the parking garages are not signposted) and they are well hidden in one-way jungles. Short-term parkers may be lucky in the side streets, otherwise: better park in Frankfurt and walk to Offenbach, this saves time and nerves.
Tourist Attractions
Churches
- 1 French Reformed Church, Herrnstrasse 43. In the 17th century, Count Johann Philipp von Isenburg-Offenbach granted protection to a group of Huguenots fleeing from France in Offenbach. Shortly thereafter, they began building their own church, which was completed in 1717. The church received severe damage in World War II, but was rebuilt true to the original. Today the church stands pretty much alone between tall skyscrapers and thus almost looks lost.
- 2 Evangelical town church, Herrnstrasse 44. The Protestant town church dates from 1749 and was built at the time for the Lutheran congregation, which wanted its own place of worship in addition to the Reformed congregation. This church was also rebuilt after its destruction in World War II and is now in the center of Huguenot Square.
- 3 Christ Church, Bismarckstrasse 105. The Christ Church in neo-Gothic style dates from 1901 and was built for the Old Catholic community in Offenbach.
Castles, chateaux and palaces
- 4 Büsing Palais, Herrnstrasse 82. Originally an industrialist mansion from Offenbach, Baron Adolf von Büsing expanded the complex into a spacious city palace at the end of the 19th century. After its destruction in the Second World War, the city palace was slowly rebuilt, most recently the main wing in 1980. The Büsing-Palais is now used as an event room by the neighboring Sheraton Hotel, and several municipal facilities are also located here.
- 5 Isenburg Castle, Schlossstrasse 66. Isenburg Castle was the headquarters of the Counts of Isenburg-Offenbach. It was first built in 1559, but only burned down completely five years later and was then rebuilt. After the Offenbach branch line became extinct, the castle fell back to Isenburg-Büdingen, who lent the castle to various private individuals. The castle suffered severe damage in the Second World War, but it could be rebuilt. Today the castle belongs to the campus of the Offenbach University of Design.
- 6 Rumpenheim Castle, Rumpenheimer Schloßgasse 9-19. The Rumpenheimer Schloss goes back to a manor house of those von Hanau from the year 1678. After the Hanau line died out and fell to Hessen-Kassel, the manor house was turned into a contemporary castle in 1771, which served as the country seat of the ruling princes. After the conquest of Kurhessen by Prussia in the 19th century, the castle stood empty, fell into disrepair (also due to damage in the two world wars) and was ultimately to be completely demolished in order to build a large housing estate in its place. But this did not happen after citizens protests and since 2002 the castle shines again in its old splendor. The interior has now been converted into condominiums and is therefore not open to the public.
Buildings
- 7 Lili temple, Herrnstrasse 100. The Lili Temple is a bathing complex with a tea house that was built in 1798 for the Frankfurt banker Friedrich Metzler who spent the summer in Offenbach. At the time of its construction, the temple was considered to be a sight of Offenbach due to the very expensive and elaborate furnishings and fittings that have not been preserved today. A small park is laid out around the temple, which is now cut through by the Herrnstrasse. The Lili Temple is now privately owned, but occasionally cultural events still take place here.
- 8 City Tower, Berliner Strasse 76. At 120 meters, the City Tower is Offenbach's tallest building and the only real "skyscraper" in the city. Of course, the building cannot compete with the breathtaking skyline of Frankfurt, but it is definitely worth a visit.
Monuments
Museums
- 9 German Leather Museum, Frankfurter Strasse 86. Tel.: 49 69 8297980.
Special museum that collects, preserves and presents everything to do with leather and related materials. To date, more than 30,000 objects from all cultures and epochs have been brought together, which are currently divided into different areas of the collection - applied art, ethnology and shoe collection.Open: Tue - Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- 10 House of City History, Herrnstrasse 61. Tel.: 49 69 80652446. Local history museum of the city of Offenbach with changing special exhibitions. The city archive is also located here.Open: Tue, Thu, Fri 10: 00-17: 00, Wed 14: 00-19: 00, Sat and Sun 11: 00-16: 00.
- 11 Klingspor Museum, Herrnstrasse 80. Tel.: (0)69 80652954. Shows book and script art of the 20th / 21st centuries. Century; Directions for public transport: Leave the S-Bahnstadion Offenbach Marktplatz via the Herrnstraße / Büsingpalais exit. From here it is a 5-minute walk along Herrnstrasse to the museum.Open: Tue, Thu, Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wed 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Sat Sun 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., closed on Mondays.
Streets and squares
Parks
- Mainuferpark
- Rumpenheim Castle Park
- Büsing Park
- Leonhard-Eißnert-Park
- 12 Offenbach Forest Zoo, Waldstrasse 275. Tel.: 49 69 852520. Small but nice wildlife park on the outskirts of Offenbach. There are many native animals to see, but also a few exotic animals.Open: in summer 10: 00-18: 00, in winter 10: 00-17: 00, closed on Mondays.Price: adults € 2.50, children € 2.
various
- 13 Bieber observation tower. The Bieberer Berg is the highest point in Offenbach and is especially famous for football, but it is less well known that there is also an observation tower there. This dates from 1882 and is now maintained by a private association. From above you have a beautiful view of the city and the Rhine-Main area.Open: from May to September on Sundays and public holidays.
activities
- 1 Rosenhöhe forest swimming pool, At Rosenhöhe 29. Tel.: 49 69 841169. The forest swimming pool is the only public swimming pool in Offenbach. Accordingly, it can get quite crowded on warm summer days.Open: in summer daily 8: 00-19: 30, in winter Mon-Fri 8: 00-19: 30, Sat 8: 00-16: 30, Sun and public holidays 8: 00-15: 30.Price: adults € 4.50, children € 3.50.
- 2 Schultheisweiher. The Schultheisweiher is a former gravel pit that is open for swimming in the summer months. There are no parking spaces, you have to walk here from Offenbach city center (approx. 5 km).Open: in the season (May to September) 10: 00-20: 00.Price: free entry.
- 3 FunForest Adventure Park Offenbach. Tel.: 49 69 85702000. Climbing park on the Bieberer Berg in Offenbach. On nice days you have to expect waiting times.Open: in the main season (April to September) Sat, Sun and during the Hessian school holidays 10: 00-19: 00, outside the Hessian school holidays 12: 00-19: 00, in the low season (October / November) possibly reduced opening times , Mon is the day off.Price: Adults from 19 €.
Regular events
- Offenbach artist market: On the 1st Sunday in September, artists from Offenbach and the region exhibit their works on Wilhelmsplatz.
- Christmas Market on the four weeks before Christmas in Offenbach's pedestrian zone, with a daily changing program
shop
There are 2 large shopping centers in Offenbach. On the one hand the KOMM Center on Aliceplatz and on the other hand the Ring Center on Taunusring. Another shop is at the end of Frankfurter Straße, a pedestrian zone with various retail stores. This pedestrian zone has recently been operating under the name "Karree Offenbach".
The on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. takes place on Wilhelmsplatz 1 Offenbach weekly market instead of.
kitchen
The culinary center of Offenbach is Wilhelmsplatz, where the weekly market also takes place. But there are also some recommended restaurants outside of the city.
An Offenbach specialty are the so-called pepper nuts, a sweet that was known far beyond the city limits in earlier times and was also often served on official occasions. The recipe was in danger of being forgotten, but since 2014 the pepper nuts have been available again at the tourist information and in various cafes in the city.
Cheap
medium
- 1 Boiled beef, Wilhelmsplatz 13. Tel.: 49 69 80085640. Regional cuisine. There is a breakfast buffet in the morning and a lunch menu at noon.Open: Mon-Sat 9: 00-24: 00, Sun and public holidays 10: 00-24: 00.
- 2 Soupreme, Frankfurter Strasse 70. Tel.: 49 69 80088264. This shop has an interesting concept: at lunchtime there are soups in all varieties, and in the evening there are burgers. Both offers are very tasty and recommendable.Open: Mo-Fr 11: 30-16: 00 and 18: 00-21: 00, Sa 17: 00-21: 00, Su 16: 00-21: 00.
- 3 Tri Am, Bieberer Strasse 84. Tel.: 49 69 880535. Vietnamese cuisine.Open: 12: 00-14: 30 and 18: 00-23: 00, Sat only open in the evening, closed on Mondays.
- 4 Delphi restaurant, Mühlheimer Strasse 384. Tel.: 49 69 89004330. Greek kitchen.
Upscale
- 5 Carnal lust, Wilhelmsplatz 6. Tel.: 49 69 80085644. Steak house with high quality dishes, but also well priced.Open: Mon-Sat 12: 00-1: 00, Sun and public holidays 12: 00-23: 00.
nightlife
Offenbach's nightlife mainly extends over Berliner Straße and Wilhelmsplatz. Various bars and restaurants on Wilhelmsplatz invite you to linger. The clubs on Berliner Straße are mostly influenced by Southeastern Europe.
Bars and pubs
- 1 Willy's Bar, Wilhelmsplatz 12. Tel.: 49 69 85093097. Open: Tue-Thu 6:00 p.m.-2: 00 p.m., Fri and Sat 6:00 p.m.-3: 00 p.m., closed on Sun and Mon.
Culture
- 2 Port 2, North ring 129. Tel.: 49 69 26012223. Alternatively, a cultural center with a varied program, best inform in advance on the website. A small café is attached.Open: from 12 noon, closes depending on the season and the event.
- 4 Cinemaxx, Berliner Strasse 210. Open-plan cinema in Offenbach with seven halls and now also the only cinema in town.
Clubs
- 3 Robert Johnson, North ring 131. Tel.: 49 69 92020990.
- 4 MTW, North ring 131. Tel.: 49 69 814222. The MTW is the home of the legendary Frankfurt veteran Talla 2XLC. You should definitely see it live and in color once in your life.
accommodation
Most of the larger chains misleadingly refer to their hotels in Offenbach as being in Frankfurt, which should be taken into account when booking.
In general, the price level in Offenbach is extremely low (except when there is a trade fair in Frankfurt). However, there are hardly any fixed prices; almost all hotels vary their prices depending on what's going on in neighboring Frankfurt. Therefore, the prices are mostly missing here.
Cheap
- 1 Offenbach-Bürgel campsite, Gerhard-Becker-Strasse 400. Tel.: 49 69 862949. The campsite is located directly on the Main in a Main loop in the middle of nature. You can walk over a pedestrian bridge into the old town of Fechenheim to buy everyday necessities.
- 2 Hotel at the leather museum, Frankfurter Strasse 82. Tel.: 49 69 819888. Breakfast is only free during the fair, outside of the fair you have to pay extra.Price: single / double 36 € / 50 €.
- 3 Hotel Première Classe Frankfurt Offenbach, Sprendlinger Landstrasse 177a. Tel.: 49 69 83836520. Relatively cheap, prices here without breakfast, is also very remote.
- 4 Panorama Hotel, Schumannstrasse 59. Tel.: 49 69 86007610. Prices here without breakfast, even if this is not expressly stated on the website.
- 5 Ibis Budget Frankfurt Offenbach Süd, Sprendlinger Landstrasse 175. Tel.: 49 69 83074420. Prices without breakfast, like the neighboring hotel, is very remote.
medium
- 6 Ibis Styles Frankfurt Offenbach, Kaiserleistrasse 4. Tel.: 49 69 829040.
- 7 Hotel Graf, Ziegelstrasse 6. Tel.: 49 69 8008510. Price: single / double 75 € / 89 €.
- 8 Hotel Hansa, Bernardstrasse 101. Tel.: 49 69 829850.
- 9 Best Western Macrander Hotel Frankfurt / Kaiserlei, Strahlbergerstrasse 12. Tel.: 49 69 1534000.
- 10 Hotel Ravel International ***, Ludwigstrasse 91, 63067 Offenbach am Main. Tel.: 49 69 8004524.
Upscale
- 11 Sheraton Offenbach Hotel, Berliner Strasse 111. Tel.: 49 69 829990.
- 12 Delta Hotels by Marriott Frankfurt Offenbach, Kaiserleistraße 45. Tel.: 49 69 6681500, Fax: 49 69 6681509.
Learn
- 1 College of Design, Schlossstrasse 31. Tel.: 49 69 800590. Offenbach's only university focuses on art, media and design. Although the university is comparatively small with just 500 students, the artistic orientation shapes the entire city.
Work
The labor market situation in Offenbach is extremely difficult. The city of Offenbach am Main has the largest percentage of unemployment benefit II recipients of all districts and cities in Germany. At just under 10 percent, the unemployment rate is significantly higher than in the rest of the Rhine-Main area and more comparable to the Ruhr area or rural regions in eastern Germany. Even where there is work, it is relatively poorly paid. The traditional industrial companies that Offenbach has shaped for a long time have largely collapsed (most recently due to the insolvency of the mechanical engineering company MAN Roland). Those who can try to find work in the area.
security
health
- 2 Sana Clinic Offenbach, Starkenburgring 66. Tel.: 49 69 84050. Maximum care clinic with all the departments you would expect from a hospital.
- 3 Ketteler Hospital, Lichtenplattenweg 85. Tel.: 49 69 85050. Catholic hospital in Offenbach.
Practical advice
- 4 OF InfoCenter, Salzgässchen 1, 63065 Offenbach. Tel.: 49 (0)69 840004 -170, Fax: 49 (0)69 8065 -3199, Email: [email protected]. Open: Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- 5 German postal service, Aliceplatz 10.
trips
- Frankfurt am Main
- Hanau
- Seligenstadt
- Aschaffenburg · (Bavaria )
- Heusenstamm
- Babenhausen
- Darmstadt
- Mainz · (Rhineland-Palatinate)
- Wiesbaden
Neighboring communities
literature
Web links
- https://www.offenbach.de/ - Official website of Offenbach am Main
