Museumsufer
Museumsufer (from German – Museum Embankment) is the name of a landscape of museums in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, lined up on both banks of the river Main or in close vicinity. The centre is the historic art museum Städel. The other museums were added, partly by transforming historic villas, partly by building new museums, in the 1980s by cultural politician Hilmar Hoffmann. History. The idea for a group of different museums in Frankfurt was proposed in 1977 by Hilmar Hoffmann, who was then as "Kulturdezernent" responsible for culture in the city. Before, architect had proposed a concept to the forum  for development ("Frankfurter Forum für Stadtentwicklung"). Between 1980 and 1990, existing museums were expanded and many new ones built, often including historic villas. Architects included internationally known Richard Meier, Oswald Mathias Ungers, Josef Paul Kleihues, Günter Behnisch and Hans Hollein. Beginning in 2008, Frankfurt has restored and expanded some of its museums. The Städel was expanded by an annex, and the Fil Museum was renovated. North bank. Four museums are located in the Old Town but not right on the river bank: The exhibition hall Portikus was opened on an island at the Alte Brücke in 2006. The street on  the south is called Schaumainkai and is often partially closed to traffic for Frankfurt's largest flea market each Saturday. Two festivals focus on the Museumsufer, the "Nacht der Museen" when several museums open at night, and the "Museumsuferfest" in August.