The Hauptwache is the heart of Frankfurt. It is located in the city’s centre and layered with exciting shopping and sights. The plaza’s centre leads to a subterranean shopping arcade and the upper level is a popular gathering space. The majority of buildings are new but a few historic delights are sprinkled throughout the area, offering lively architectural contrasts. It is a cherished pinnacle of Frankfurt life. The famous square is named after a beautiful baroque building erected in 1730 as the headquarters of the city’s military and correctional departments in an era when Frankfurt was independently governed. The building is currently a much-loved café and the crossing point for the city’s major underground lines and shopping streets.