Established by the banker and businessman Johann Friedrich Städel in 1815, the Städel Museum holds the rank as Germany’s oldest museum foundation and houses one of the world’s most important art collections. The holdings encompass 3,000 paintings, 600 sculptures, more than 100,000 drawings and prints, and 500 photographs. Owing to the completion of the extension for contemporary art in February 2012, works from seven hundred years of art history are now on view here on an area of 7,500 square metres. Numerous internationally recognized special exhibitions and a comprehensive mediation programme also contribute to shaping the museum’s profile. The spectrum of mediation activities ranges from various types of guided tours and events, multimedia offers such as the audio guide, a digital image journey for kids and a multi touchscreen in the Riverside Gallery to facilities for research, indepth study and creative endeavours. Every visit to the museum is accordingly a whole new experience.