It lies to the west of Konstablerwache with both squares linked by the Zeil, the central shopping area of the city.

[5] In 1833 during the Frankfurter Wachensturm, the Hauptwache and the Konstablerwache were stormed in a failed effort by a small revolutionary force of native citizens, among others Gustav Koerner, and some people from different locations in Germany.

[6] Heavily burned in World War II bombing, it was reopened in a provisional form with an altered roof in 1954.

Hauptwache station serves as one of the most important crosspoints of the Frankfurt public transport system.

Its current appearance is marked by a sunken terrace leading down to underground pedestrian area with shops and the public transport station.