On Tuesday, the time had finally come: with the help of a large truck-mounted crane, the pre-assembled, several-ton elements of the new Goethe Tower were put together. At shortly after 6pm, the popular landmark then reached its full height of 43.3 metres. Although the work had been delayed considerably due to storm gusts, many onlookers persevered around the construction site to be present at the historic moment. When the viewing platform could finally be put in place, this was acknowledged with applause by all those present. After about three years, Frankfurt has its popular landmark and excursion destination back. And this is causing great joy among the people of Frankfurt - even if it will still take until October before the tower can be climbed. Until then, among other things, the safety equipment will be installed and the outdoor facilities around the tower redesigned.
After the completion of the tower could be celebrated today, Thursday, in bright sunshine topping-out ceremony. In addition to prominent politicians, the planners and construction workers responsible for the building were also on hand to receive the well-deserved applause of numerous fence-sitters. However, Lord Mayor Peter Feldmann did not only thank them. He also thanked all the people of Frankfurt whose donations helped make it possible for the tower to be rebuilt, as well as all those who cast their votes for the tower to stand new, but in its old form, on the spot where it was built in 1931.
For Rosemarie Heilig, head of the environment department, the new Goetheturm is "a ray of hope, a positive highlight in a difficult time, which we all urgently need." And head of the building department Jan Schneider was impressed by the speed at which the timber construction company Amann completed the tower. "Less than four weeks ago, the first components were delivered, and already today the work stands. It is wonderful to see with what precision and professionalism and with how much heart and soul the construction companies involved are at work here. Thanks to reliable partners and the good preparation in the Office for Construction and Real Estate, the reconstruction of the Goetheturm has become a successful project that the people of Frankfurt will enjoy for a long time to come."
Hopefully longer than the nearly 80 years the old Goetheturm stood before it was destroyed by arson in October 2017. Visitors in attendance, some of whom had been regulars at the site, expressed excitement about finally having the tower back. "I had a few tears in my eyes when I saw the spire from afar earlier," Hanne N., who has lived in Sachsenhausen since she was a child and often came here with friends even as a schoolgirl, revealed to us. She has also passed on her love for the Goetheturm to her daughter Natalie, who kissed her future husband here for the first time. "I know many people who not only associate great childhood memories with the Goetheturm, but also romantic experiences," Peter S. from Neu-Isenburg joins the conversation. You notice: everyone has their own personal Goetheturm story and the sight of the new tower brings back those memories.
That's probably also why the Goetheturm festival and the Christmas market at the foot of the tower are so popular. Since a grand opening festival would probably attract even more visitors, the planned celebration has been postponed until next year due to Corona. Doesn't really matter, the main thing is that we have our Goetheturm back!
You can find more facts and figures about the reconstruction HERE
