page_title: Paulsplatz
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Paulsplatz / History
context_page_description: Paulsplatz is a historic square in the heart of Frankfurt, Germany.St Paul's Church is located here, dominating the square. The Römerberg, another square, is to the south. Berliner Strasse is immediately to the north. Paulsplatz is a major location for the outdoor Frankfurt Christmas Market.
context_section_description: Until the 18th century, the first recorded Frankfurt Franciscan monastery was located on the site of today's square, from 1270. From 1526 there were regular sermons in the Barfüßerkirche. In 1529, the last eight Franciscans left the monastery. The monastery was handed over to the city council. The Barfüßerkirche became the main Protestant church of Frankfurt. Important theologians such as Philipp Jakob Spener and Johann Friedrich Starck and musicians such as Georg Philipp Telemann attended. The monastic buildings north of the church became a school from 1542.
  In the 18th century, the building became too small and dilapidated. In 1782, the Barfüßerkirche was closed and it was demolished in 1786. In 1789, construction of a new church began under municipal architect Johann Georg Christian Hess. Because of delays due to war, construction continued until 1833.
  The construction of the Gothic Barfüßerkirche was oriented in an east–west direction. The new church was an oval building with an offset tower to the south, which also formed the main entrance. The square was connected to the west and east by two narrow lanes following the main north–south axis of the old town.
  To the west, east, and north of St Paul's Church, the building was surrounded by a dense development. In 1838, the school and medieval monastery buildings were demolished. In their place, a block was built between Neue Kräme and St Paul's Church, located on the northern side. During 1840–1952, this was the Old Stock Exchange.
caption: Historical view of St Paul's Church in Paulsplatz.
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