Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Frankfurt

The Borse, also known as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, ranks as the third-largest market worldwide for stocks, shares, and foreign exchange. The current building, situated in the heart of the city, was constructed during the early 19th century.

The roots of the Frankfurt stock exchange trace back to the 9th century when Emperor Louis the German issued a letter allowing the establishment of free trade fairs. This letter ignited a surge in financial activities, and by the 16th century, Frankfurt had blossomed into a thriving hub for trade and financial services. The inaugural Borse was established in 1585, and in 1874, the stock exchange relocated to its present premises. The architectural design of the new Borse building was the work of German architects Rudolf Heinrich Burnitz and Oskar Sommer. This red sandstone structure exhibited a neo-Renaissance style with an ornate Greco-Roman façade. The Borse's elegant appearance was further enriched by bronze sculptures of a bull and a bear placed in front of the building, created by sculptor Reinhard Dachlauer in 1988.

Interestingly, floor trading remains an active practice at the stock exchange, allowing visitors to reserve seats to observe the proceedings. The visitor's gallery is open for two hours on each trading day, employing interactive methods and assistance to provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the floor trading process.