After six years of construction, the new 'Old Town' in Frankfurt has been opened to visitors and residents. The new district includes thirty-five buildings. Fifteen of the buildings are reconstructions of buildings from different eras and twenty are brand-new houses.
Only two buildings are reconstructed on historic buildings: The buildings 'Red House' and the 14th Century gothic building 'Golden Scales'. Both buildings are attractions already since they were built centuries ago.
The oldest replica building is the Spice Garden. The half-timbered building was first documented in 1292. Most other buildings were restored or reconstructed according to old photographs or even drawings.
The new centre houses shops, cafes and restaurants, museums and 70 apartments. Although many criticise the new district as Frankfurt's 'Disneyland', most residents praise the reconstruction. The newly built apartments in the quarter were actually so popular that the construction company had to hold a raffle for the sale of the expensive apartments.
Frankfurt is a metropolitan city in central Germany while Frankfurt's airport is the main transport hub in Europe. The historic city centre was largely destroyed during World War II. The official inauguration of Frankfurt's new 'Old Town' will take place later this year, when the city will celebrate the massive achievement of reconstructing the city centre. The renovation has cost more than 200 million Euros.
