Your places of democratic history
Photo: DNB, Lisa Zehner
Open-air exhibition on the forecourt of the German National Library in Frankfurt am Main
1 to 16. October 2025
A cooperation between the “Stiftung Orte der Deutschen Demokratiegeschichte" (Foundation for Sites of German Democratic History) and the German National Library
To celebrate the anniversary of German Unity Day in 2025, the “Stiftung Orte der Deutschen Demokratiegeschichte" presents its open-air exhibition “Your places of democratic history“ in Frankfurt am Main. In cooperation with the German National Library, democratic history can be experienced directly in public space – freely accessible on the forecourt of the German National Library in Frankfurt am Main.
The exhibition tells stories of places where democracy in Germany was achieved, defended and further developed. It shows that democracy must be renegotiated time and time again – and invites visitors to play a confident role in shaping it.
Three themed sets are on display:
- Marketplace – on the importance of public spaces, freedom of speech and assembly for democratisation, from the celebrations of the Vormärz to the Monday demonstrations of 1989/90.
- Europe – on the interactions between German and European democratic history.
- Political civil society – about places of political movements and the relationship between civil society and the state.
Further information about the foundation and the digital map of democratic history:
www.demokratie-geschichte.de
Background:
"Stiftung Orte der deutschen Demokratiegeschichte" is a foundation with legal capacity under public law based in Frankfurt am Main. It teaches the history of democracy and its locations in order to promote awareness and attitudes towards democracy on a broad scale. In the past, we find examples and role models that motivate us in the present to actively shape democracy and carry it forward into the future together.
The history of democracy highlights events, processes, organisations and institutions in which people have fought for fundamental and human rights, free elections, parliamentarianism, co-determination and participation, as well as for the constitutional protection of the separation of powers and the rule of law – with both successes and setbacks. Historical sites where democracy was achieved, defended and developed make these processes tangible and illustrate that democracy must be continually renegotiated and consolidated.
More information at: www.demokratie-geschichte.de
Information for your visit
Opening hours and admission
The exhibition is open to the public at all times.
Admission free
Accessibility
The exhibition has barrier-free access.
Adresse and getting here
German National Library
Adickesallee 1
60322 Frankfurt am Main
Getting here
We advise you to use public transport.
1 / By public transport
By rail
From the main railway station (underground level), take the U5 in the direction of Preungesheim and get off at the stop “Deutsche Nationalbibliothek”. Journey time approx. 10 minutes.
By plane
From the airport (regional station), take S-Bahn S8 in the direction of Hanau or the S9 in the direction of Offenbach and get off at “Konstablerwache”. Change to the U5 in the direction of Preungesheim and get off at the stop “Deutsche Nationalbibliothek”. Journey time approx. 30 minutes.
By bus
The “Deutsche Nationalbibliothek” bus stop is served by the number M32 bus.
2 / By bike
The German National Library in Frankfurt am Main can easily be reached by bike. You can get to the DNB by taking the cycle paths on Adickesallee, Nibelungenallee, and Eckenheimer Landtraße.
Covered bicycle racks are located right at the main entrance.
3 / By car
The address for navigation devices is Eckenheimer Landstraße 165. The building is accessed from the underground car park. The maximum entrance height is 2.0 m.
Approaching from the west
Take the A66 to the end of the autobahn in Miquelallee and follow the signs for Fulda/Hanau; at the third intersection, turn right into Eckenheimer Landstraße in the direction of the city centre; follow the signs and turn right into the underground car park.
Approaching from the north
Take the A661 to the Eckenheim exit, get into the lane for the city centre/Eckenheim, continue straight on to the third major set of traffic lights and cross these. The entrance to the underground car park is located at the German National Library building around 100 metres further on the right.
Parking
Our car park has 100 parking spaces for visitors on the first basement floor.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 6:00 to 22:00, Saturday 8:00 to 18:00.
Fees: 2.00 Euro/hour, cash or card payment.
The permanent rental of parking spaces is not possible.
For on-street parking spaces in the Holzhausenviertel district, the City of Frankfurt of Main charges 50 cents per quarter hour or part thereof from Monday to Friday between 7:00 and 19:00.
4 / Accessibility
The German National Library in Frankfurt am Main has designated disabled parking spaces in its car park and next to the building in Schlosserstraße. The Library's public rooms can be accessed by lift from the underground car park. Barrier-free access to the main entrance is also available from Schlosserstraße.
Last changes:
01.10.2025
Short-URL:
https://www.dnb.de/forgetit