The reconstructed houses
Fifteen houses rebuilt precisely from old photographs and plans, with timber detail and ornament.
Simsalabimbam — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Simsalabimbam — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Simsalabimbam — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Simsalabimbam — CC BY-SA 3.0
The New Old Town is a small quarter in the middle of Frankfurt that opened in 2018. The name sounds contradictory but it is accurate: houses that look medieval, built only a few years ago. The story is that the original old town was almost entirely destroyed by bombing in 1944. After the war a modern concrete complex was built on the site, and the argument about it ran for decades. In 2012 the city decided to demolish that complex and rebuild the quarter. The result is around thirty-five buildings: fifteen are careful reconstructions of historic houses, based on photographs and plans, and the rest are new buildings in a matching style. The streets are narrow and cobbled, with cafés and shops. The quarter is free and always open. The argument has not gone away: some see a beautiful revival, others a stage set. It is worth walking through and judging for yourself.
Fifteen houses rebuilt precisely from old photographs and plans, with timber detail and ornament.
The adjoining square with its famous stepped-gable houses — Frankfurt's best-known image.
Frankfurt Cathedral at the edge of the quarter, with a tower you can climb for a small fee.
Markt, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
Frankfurt CathedralFrankfurt Cathedral is a red Gothic church in the middle of the old town, its ta1 minute walk4.5
Kaiserpfalz FranconofurdThe Kaiserpfalz is an open archaeological site between the cathedral and the new1 minute walk4.5
Caricatura MuseumThe Caricatura Museum is a small museum devoted to cartoon and satirical drawing1 minute walk4.6
The Stoltze MuseumThe Stoltze Museum is devoted to Friedrich Stoltze (1816-1891), the poet and jou1 minute walk4.4
Struwwelpeter MuseumThe Struwwelpeter Museum is devoted to the most famous German children's book of1 minute walk4.6Replicas and new builds. The original old town was destroyed by bombing in 1944, and what you see was built between 2012 and 2018. Fifteen are accurate reconstructions; the rest are new in a matching style.
Yes. The quarter genuinely is attractive and the streets are enjoyable, and it sits in the centre so it costs you no detour. Just take it for what it is: a modern reconstruction, not an old town that survived the war.
The Römerberg adjoins it, the cathedral is at the far end, and the Goethe House is five minutes away. The four together make a half day on foot.