Commerz and Haspa buildings. In front some of Frankfurt's famous Winter Balls.

The sprawl, a constant construction site. As the world's last fully functioning finance capital, Frankfurt reinvents itself every ten years, adding, moving, and removing history. Old churches and 18th century houses stand tall next to chrome-and-glass skyscrapers, small street vendor operations compete with and beat modern dining operations.

As one of the oldest plazas in Frankfurt, Hauptwache ("Main Watch") was first inhabited by Romans, then Celts, and Franconians. In 1730 the baroque building from which the plaza derives its name was built as a jail, court house, and hanging ground. Behind it once stood small houses and a vibrant market drew from there to the Old Opera. Today this is the financial district, massive skyscrapers where once small businesses competed. The market has moved on and now stretches from this location along the Zeil ("Row") towards Konstablerwache, the Old Constabulary.

Hauptwache - once a prison and hanging grounds, now a cafe.

The "Old Opera", as opposed to the "New Opera" which was built in 1840.