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Frankfurt / Oder is situated at an altitude of 40 m on the left bank of the river Oder in eastern Brandenburg at the border to Poland. The first settlement seems to have been founded around 1226 at a ford across the river. The place was named after the church of St. Nikolai. Around 1253 it received the status of a town. At that time the place was already called Vrankenvorde. It soon developed into an important trading town and from 1430 or earlier until around 1500 belonged to the Hanse federation of trading towns. The university was opened in 1506. Among the first students were later humanist Ulrich von Hutten and the later reformer Thomas Müntzer. During the Thirty Years' War the town was besieged and occupied several times and its population dropped from about 12,000 to less than 2,400 in 1653. Nevertheless, trading remained an important economic factor for the town in the following centuries. After the opening of the university in Berlin, the university of Frankfurt/Oder was closed and transferred to Breslau (today Wrocław in Poland). Among its last students were Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt, and Heinrich von Kleist. During the 18th and 19th century, it also became an important garrison of the Prussian army. After World War II and the Potsdam Agreement the river formed the new border to Poland. After the reunification of Germany in 1990, the 'Europa-Universität Viadrina' was founded in 1991.

The monument for Emperor Wilhem I [centre] on the square Wilhelmsplatz (today 'Platz der Republik') was erected in 1900. Wilhelm I (1797–1888) was King of Prussia since 1861 and became the first German Emperor after the foundation of the German Empire in 1871.

Several glasses of this collection show other monuments for Wilhelm I.

The Stadttheater (town theatre) [background right] was built in 1842. The building was destroyed in 1945.

Heinrich von KLEIST (1777–1811), one of the greatest dramatists of german literature, was born in Frankfurt an der Oder. His comedies include 'Der zerbrochne Krug' (1806, 'The Broken Pitcher') and 'Amphitryon' (1807). Among his passionate tragedies is 'Penthesilea' (1808). 'Käthchen von Heilbronn' is a tale of chivalry. His masterpiece is 'Der Prinz von Homburg' (1821), a historical tragedy. The best-known of his novellas are 'Michael Kohlhaas' (1810/11) and 'Die Marquise von O.' (1810/11). Kleist led an unhappy life that ended in his suicide together with Henriette Vogel near Potsdam at the lake Kleiner Wannsee (today part of Berlin).

The picture on glass no.1774 [right] shows a panoramic view of Frankfurt/Oder with the old Oder bridge. The oldest bridge at this place was constructed in 1253. The glass shows the stone bridge that was built in 1895. This bridge was blown up by the German Wehrmacht in January of 1945. Already in May of the same year a provisional bridge was set up. Today, a modern concrete and steel bridge, constructed in 2000–2002, connects Frankfurt/Oder with the former 'Dammvorstadt', now Słubice, Poland.

The Nikolaikirche [right, no.1774: background] was begun before 1253 and thus is the oldest church of Frankfurt/Oder. The nave and choir date from the 14th and 15th century. After 1540 the church fell out of use and in 1557 was converted into a granary. In 1881–1893 the church was thoroughly rebuilt; since then the church is also called Friedenskirche (Peace church).