By giving the common a higher meaning, the ordinary a mysterious appearance, the known the dignity of the unknown, and the finite an infinite semblance, I romanticize it. (Novalis)

This audio walk leads to places that have a historical connection to the siblings Bettina von Arnim and Clemens Brentano, who were born in Frankfurt. Additionally, this tour pursues another goal: the program of Romanticism—the transformation of perception—remains relevant to this day. In successful moments, it reveals a world that is generally hidden from everyday view. Romanticism teaches us to look at our environment from a different perspective and to gain new insights from it. Moreover, on this walk, we encounter the life questions and major themes found in the works of Bettina and Clemens, such as questions about romantic love, the value of art, anti-Semitism, criticism of capitalism, and religiosity.

The audio walk Via Brentano is a project of the Environmental Office of the City of Frankfurt am Main and was created in cooperation with the Regional Park FrankfurtRheinMain. Concept and realization: Bertram Weisshaar; 2013 (Atelier Latent, Leipzig); with the participation of Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Bunzel (Goethe House, Frankfurt am Main), Klaus Hoppe (until 02/2013 Environmental Office, City of Frankfurt am Main), Dr. Holger Schwinn (Goethe House, Frankfurt am Main) and Anna Weißhaar (Karlsruhe), Rainer Zimmermann (Environmental Office, City of Frankfurt am Main). Revised in 2022 by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Bunzel and Willem Warnecke. Narrator: Nora Jokhosha (Frankfurt am Main), Narrators: Sebastian Fuchs (Berlin), Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Bunzel.