How did Frankfurt attain its status as the European financial capital? An important factor was the city's location on the intersection of Europe's dominant commercial routes during the Middle Ages. This facilitated the establishment of one of the oldest international trade fairs, which thrived mainly on the flourishing exchange of goods with eastern Europe. Additionally, the location at the geographical centre of the empire convinced the German emperors to establish Frankfurt as the official imperial coronation and election capital, which effectively provided a neverending source of money for the increasingly resourceful and enterprising populace. The walking tour starts at the "Römerberg“, where the first Italian traders ("Romans“) were granted lodgings, passes under the towering headquarters of a selection of financial global players, touches on Frankfurt's stock exchange and comes to its conclusion close to one of Europe's largest trade fairs.