Frankfurt’s Bolongaro Palace reveals Roman secrets amid costly renovation delays
Frankfurt’s historic Bolongaro Palace is undergoing a major renovation to transform it into a modern cultural and administrative hub. The project, initially planned for €37 million, has faced delays and rising costs, pushing the budget to nearly €73 million. Archaeologists have also made a surprising discovery during the work: traces of a Roman settlement dating back over 2,000 years.
The palace was originally built between 1772 and 1775 by the Italian Bolongaro brothers. Designed for both living and business, it later served as a town hall, registry office, and police station. In 2003, Frankfurt approved plans to repurpose the building as a civic and cultural centre.
The renovated Bolongaro Palace will open as a centre for culture, administration, and public events. The project’s completion in 2027 will mark the end of a lengthy and costly restoration. Meanwhile, the Roman findings offer new insights into Frankfurt’s ancient history, long before the city’s modern development.
