Sachsenhausen
Sachsenhausen takes its name from the settlement of Saxon families by Charlemagne. This part of the city was originally a fishing village outside Frankfurt and is now a popular residential area with many refurbished old buildings.
This is where you will find Schellgasse 8, the oldest remaining house in Frankfurt, built in 1291.
In Frankfurt’s local dialect, Sachsenhausen is also called Dribb de Bach (over the stream), in other words on the southern side of the Main. Hibb de Bach means ‘on the other side of the stream’, or the northern side of the Main.
Brewing tradition
There were previously more than 100 breweries located here. The beer was stored cold in large cellar vaults in Sachsenhäuser Berg.
Cider tradition
Today, Sachsenhausen is known as the Ebbelwei district. Ebbelwei is name that those living in Frankfurt give to cider, and it’s also where the name Ebbelwei-Express comes from.
In Sachenhausen’s old cider bars, you can now also find Frankfurt’s world-famous cider. The cider is a dry and extremely light apple wine made from local apples. This Stöffchess, as the locals also call it, is served in easy-to-hold diamond-patterned glasses known as Geripptes. In the past, the ‘ribs’ created by the pattern were supposed to help drinkers hold the glass more easily in their hands. People ate without using knives and forks at that time, particularly farm workers, and smooth glasses slipped more easily through greasy fingers.
The cider is poured from a classic earthenware pitcher called a Bembel. It’s typically served with Handkäs mit Musik or a hearty Rippche mit Kraut. Enjoy sampling Frankfurt’s cuisine – and spend some time relaxing over a good round of Schoppen. It’s definitely worth stopping for a bite.