TIMERIDEBlog
Frankfurt and its half-timbered houses - The development of the New Old Town
With its stock exchange and trade fair, banks and skyscrapers, the vibrant metropolis of Frankfurt am Main epitomises the modern world of finance. But with apple wine and half-timbered houses, it also stands for cosiness. But this side of Frankfurt had long disappeared from the heart of the city – until the New Old Town was built.
By Katharina Heinrich on 07.11.2024
Destroyed by the bombs of the Second World War, the old Frankfurt almost completely disappeared from the cityscape. During reconstruction in the 50s and 60s, the city planners laid out a new layout over the former old town – including wide streets for the increasing car traffic, generous squares and spacious inner courtyards. The winding alleyways and small squares were hardly missed, especially not in the planning offices. Half-timbered houses and cobblestones were considered outdated, while asphalt, bare concrete and glass were considered chic. The harder the contrast between old and new, the better. Probably the best-known example of this trend was the Technisches Rathaus, built in 1974 right next to the gothic Kaiserdom.
The rediscovery
In the 1980s, people slowly began to remember the cosiness of the old city. The old half-timbered houses on the east side of the Römerberg square, which until then had been almost derelict, were rebuilt true to the original. This also brought tourism back to the heart of Frankfurt. The square with the Justitia fountain and the ‘Römer’, between St Paul’s Church and the imperial cathedral, was to form the backdrop for numerous celebrations in the following years – such as the World Cup in Frankfurt.
From new to (kind of) old
But that shouldn’t be the end of a new city planning trend – the area between Römerberg and the Kaiserdom also eventually became the focus of urban planning. The idea of the new Dom-Römer district was born: back to small alleys, cozy squares and houses with half-timbering, red Main sandstone and slate. After the Technisches Rathaus was demolished, the area was transformed back into a dense old town center between 2012 and 2018. Historians, archaeologists and architects worked hand in hand to reconstruct the New Old Town around Hühnermarkt and Rebstock based on historical models. But the new old houses also confidently show that they are interpretations of the old houses – with their own character, which combines traditional materials and forms with modern building technology and design in a rather unique way.
Katharina Heinrich
studied classical archaeology and history, which is why she is particularly interested in ancient for ancient cultures and the origin of of objects, buildings and concepts. and concepts. During various excavations, she has learned how important even the the smallest and most inconspicuous objects can be for the history of mankind.
