They possess a certain spirit which can push through

藉著堅忍不拔的精神一路披荊斬棘，

the rubble of history's most turbulent times,

度過最動盪的歷史歲月，

to grow, flourish and flower.

不斷成長茁壯，最終開花結果。

The German city of Frankfurt is one such city.

德國的法蘭克福就是這樣的城市。

For centuries, Frankfurt has been one of Europe's

數世紀以來，法蘭克福扮演著歐洲

most important and enduring trading capitals.

最重要且歷史最悠久的貿易中心之一，

Despite a history of fires, plague, occupation and war,

雖然歷經無數大火、瘟疫、政權交替與戰爭，

it continues to rise.

卻依舊日益壯大、強盛。

Frankfurt today is home to the European Central Bank,

如今，法蘭克福是歐洲中央銀行與

The German Stock Exchange and an airport which handles almost 60 million travelers a year.

德國證券交易所的所在地，還有一座每年旅客量近 6 千萬人次的機場。

Yet surprisingly, it's relaxed too,

然而，這裡也有輕鬆悠閒的一面，

a place where tradition and beauty are lovingly cultivated and enjoyed.

此處蘊藏的古典傳統與絕美景致必定令您心醉神迷，

This balance of dynamism and tradition is best exemplified in the city's architecture.

這種動感活力與傳統特色的結合，完美呈現在這座城市的建築之中。

Frankfurt is often called Mainhatten,

由於美茵河流貫其間，

due to its position on the Main River

又有高樓林立彷彿美國曼哈頓，

and a skyline that often feels more American than European.

讓法蘭克福享有「美茵哈頓」的美稱。

Yet the city, which was once home to one of the most glorious medieval centres in Europe,

雖然法蘭克福曾是中世紀歐洲最意氣風發的城市之一，

still nurtures its proud heritage through rebuilding and restoration projects.

但為了使其引以為豪的文史遺產能夠存續，至今仍不斷進行重建與修復計畫。

Despite its stature as a financial giant,

儘管經濟規模非常龐大，

Frankfurt remains surprisingly compact.

法蘭克福卻是一座小而美的城市，

Most of its attractions are clustered close to the city centre,

大多數的景點都聚集在市中心附近，

making the city perfect for exploring on foot or by bicycle.

因此相當適合以步行或騎腳踏車的方式進行遊覽。

Cross the Eiserner Steg, the city's beloved pedestrian bridge,

穿越法蘭克福的「鐵橋」這座備受喜愛的人行天橋，

into Frankfurt's ancient heart, the Romerberg.

便抵達法蘭克福古老的市中心 - 羅馬廣場，

Since the 9th century,

自 9 世紀以來，

this medieval square has witnessed the very best and worst of times,

這座中世紀廣場見證了最輝煌與最悲慘的時刻，

from fairs, tournaments and coronations, to executions and firestorms.

經歷了市集、比武大會和加冕禮，也目睹處刑和火龍捲的景象。

After being devastated by allied bombs in World War Two,

在經歷第二次世界大戰的蹂躪與摧殘後，

many of the square's most important buildings have been lovingly restored.

廣場上許多重要建築皆已被悉心修復。

Overlooking the square is the Römer,

羅馬廳佇立於廣場上，

which served as Frankfurt's city hall for over 600 years.

作為法蘭克福市政廳已長達 600 年之久。

Just across the Square rise some of Frankfurt's iconic half-timbered houses,

羅馬廣場對面矗立著法蘭克福最具代表性的半木造建築，

as well as the spire of Old St. Nicholas Church,

以及尖頂聳入雲端的聖尼古拉教堂，

which miraculously survived the almost total destruction of the old town.

這座教堂在二次大戰期間奇蹟似地撐過了幾乎毀滅整個舊城區的轟炸攻擊。

From the Romerplatz, it's time to head deeper into the old city.

從羅馬廣場出發，即可更深入地探索這座歷史悠久的城市，

Whichever direction you take, Frankfurt's historical treasures await.

無論往哪個方向去，您都能發掘無數歷史寶藏，

Just a three-minute walk to the east, visit the city's cathedral, the Kaiserdom,

只需向東步行三分鐘，就能見到法蘭克福大教堂，

in all its red-sandstone and golden glory.

奪人目光的紅砂岩與金碧輝煌。

Just to the west of Romerplatz, is the cradle of German Democracy,

座落在羅馬廣場西邊的則是象徵德國民主的聖保羅教堂，

Paulskirche, where the country's first elected parliament met in 1848.

這座教堂是 1848 年德國首次議會選舉的舉行地點。

While just two blocks further,

往西走 2 個街區，

is another of the country's most important birthplaces,

可見到德國的另一個重要發源地：

Goethe-Haus.

歌德故居，

It was here in 1749, just as the clock stuck midday,

1749 年某日正午，德國最偉大的作家，

that one of Germany's greatest writers and poets,

與詩人之一約翰·沃夫岡·馮·歌德，

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe came into the world.

就在這裡誕生。

From the Goethe family home, head north to Hauptwache.

從哥德故居向北行就會看到衛戍大本營，

Turn left to admire the symphonic curves of Frankfurt's historic opera house.

向左轉，可以欣賞到法蘭克福舊歌劇院的典雅外觀，

Or turn right, and head into the future, along the Zeil,

或向右轉，沿著可比擬第五大道的采爾大街，

Germany's equivalent to Fifth Avenue.

追逐時尚潮流。

Just a few blocks away,

再走幾個街區，

explore the sometimes-perplexing world of modern art at MMK,

就能造訪現代藝術美術館，欣賞讓人似懂非懂的當代藝術，

a triangular shaped gallery that Frankfurters refer to as,

這座美術館有著三角形的外觀，法蘭克福人戲稱它為

“the piece of cake”.

「蛋糕切片」。

While down by the river at the Historical Museum,

沿著美茵河畔走，您會看到歷史博物館，

the story of Frankfurt unfolds, in all its triumphant and trying chapters.

這裡面展示了法蘭克福成功與奮鬥的歷史篇章，

When it comes to Germany's great museum cities, Frankfurt is one of the greats.

若要舉出德國最傑出的博物館城市，法蘭克福可說是數一數二。

Recross the river to its southern embankment, the Museumsufer.

再次跨過美茵河前往南岸，便可到達博物館區，

In the eighteenth century the city's elite built elegant villas across from the old town.

18 世紀時，城市的菁英人士在舊城對面興建了許多優美的別墅。

Today, many of these villas house specialist museums,

如今，那些別墅多已轉型成為專題博物館，

such as the German Film Museum.

例如德國電影博物館，

Here you can follow the history of film,

在那裡，您可了解電影史，

from the earliest optical entertainments,

館中展示的有早期光學娛樂，

to all the elements that go into crafting the blockbusters of today.

也有製作今日賣座鉅片所使用的一切元素。

Just next door at the German Architecture Museum,

旁邊緊鄰的，是德國建築博物館，

spend an hour or two exploring the thousands of plans

在此可以待上一兩個小時，好好探索成千上百個

and hundreds of scale models which have helped shape the world's skylines.

在世界各處畫出美麗天際線的建築計畫與模型。

Lovers of fine art are also catered for at the Stadel Museum,

美術愛好者也可造訪施泰德藝術館，

a world-renowned gallery which houses treasures

這座聞名全球的美術館典藏了

by many of Europe's classical and modern masters.

眾多歐洲歷史上及現代藝術大師的傑作。

Frankfurters have turned relaxation into an art form too,

法蘭克福人的休閒方式也相當具有文藝氣息，

whether it's just soaking up the sunshine on the banks of Main,

不論是躺在美茵河河畔做日光浴，或是和好友暢飲幾壺蘋果酒，

or sharing a few bembels of apple wine with friends.

都顯得高雅脫俗。

Just behind the museum embankment,

在博物館區後方，

lose yourself in Old Sachsenhausen,

您可沉醉於老薩克森豪森區，

where you'll find narrow lanes lined with traditional houses,

這裡有橫縱交錯的小巷弄，和並列兩旁的老房屋，

and some of the city's cosiest bars and ebbelwei pubs.

以及法蘭克福最閒適的酒吧與蘋果酒小酒館。

Once you've replenished your energy,

在身心都充飽電後，

hop on a tram to the city's northwest

不妨躍上電車前往城市西南方的

and spend a few hours walking with all creatures great and small at the Naturmuseum Senckenberg.

森肯堡自然博物館，花上幾小時好好欣賞大大小小的生物。

Most popular of all are the remarkable remains of 50-million year old dinosaurs,

館中最熱門的展示品是5000 萬年前的恐龍化石，

many of which were unearthed just 22 miles away at the famous Messel Fosil Pit.

這些化石大都是從 35 公里外的梅塞爾坑挖掘而出。

Just to the north of the natural history museum,

在自然歷史博物館的北方，

unwind amid the forests, floral displays

法蘭克福植物園的森林、花卉展，

and lakes of the Frankfurt Botanical Gardens.

以及湖泊，亦能讓您盡情放鬆休息，

Then enter the extraordinary world of tropical

而棕櫚園內的熱帶與亞熱帶植物，

and sub-tropical plant life at the Palmengarten.

則充滿了異國情調。

70 years ago as the city smouldered from war,

70 年前，當法蘭克福飽受戰火摧殘，

few could have imagined that these greenhouses would ever again see such beauty,

誰也沒想到，這些溫室還能再次孕育出如此美麗的景象，

…that this city would ever again experience such peace and prosperity.

也沒想到，這座城市還能再度找回和平與繁榮的景象。

But prosper it has,

如今法蘭克福的昌盛，

and now that prosperity is a bounty

帶動了全球發展，

that the entire world can share.

也讓全世界都能共享經濟繁榮的碩果。