The Salzhaus (Salt House) was one of the most characteristic and historically significant buildings in the centre of Frankfurt am Main. Located on Römerberg Square, it formed the north-eastern part of the City Hall (Römer) complex in the Altstadt – Frankfurt’s old town. Its history dates back to the 14th century and its architecture combined Gothic and Renaissance elements, making the building one of the most important achievements of the Renaissance in the German-speaking world. The end of its existence came with the heavy bombardment of the city during World War II.
The Salzhaus was first mentioned in 1324, when the building was used as a salt trading place – hence its name. In the 17th century, the building was extensively rebuilt or newly constructed in the late Renaissance style. With its rich façade carved in wood and stone, the Salzhaus gained a reputation as one of the most beautiful buildings in Central Europe, being compared to, among others, the famous Kammerzell House in Strasbourg. In 1843, the city acquired the Salzhaus, combining it with a neighbouring building. In 1890, the building became the seat of the city officials, and earlier – between 1887 and 1888 – it underwent extensive renovation.
The building at the end of the 19th century. Photo Photoglob AG, Zurich, Switzerland – Carl Friedrich Mylius (1827-1916)/Wikimedia Commons
The Salzhaus was known for its unique combination of Gothic and Renaissance elements. The ground floor of the building was made of local red sandstone. Above the massive base rose a timber-framed structure of characteristic proportions: the building was 22 metres high, almost half of which was taken up by the soaring roof. The richly decorated façade of the Salzhaus was a symbol of the mastery of the craftsmen of the time. The carved details and reliefs attracted attention with their finesse and craftsmanship, and the building was regarded as a jewel of the city’s architecture.
The Salzhaus in 1900 and today. Photo by Mylius, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons and Yair-haklai, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
During the Second World War, Frankfurt experienced numerous bombing raids that largely destroyed its historic centre. The Salzhaus, although it survived the first bombing in 1943, was completely destroyed on 22 March 1944, when the city fell victim to one of its heaviest attacks. The interior of the building burned down, as well as the upper floors. Only the stone base and parts of the facade survived.
The building in the second half of the 19th century and today. Photo by Carl Friedrich Mylius, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons and Mylius, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
After the end of the war, the removal of the rubble and the reconstruction of the most important buildings began. In the case of the Salzhaus, it was decided to undertake a modern reconstruction in the spirit of post-war functionalism. The building was completed in 1952, retaining the historic ground floor but erecting simple floors above it in reinforced concrete construction. Despite material limitations, the new version of the Salt House was distinguished by artistic elements such as the glass mosaic by Wilhelm Geißler depicting a phoenix – a symbol of the city’s rebirth from the ruins.
Römer in 1870 and 2022. Photo: Historisches Museum, Frankfurt i Mylius (GFDL 1.2 or FAL), via Wikimedia Commons
Since the 1980s there have been proposals to reconstruct the Salzhaus in its original form. Despite considerable public interest and support, these projects were not realised due to lack of funding. In 2004, the Historisches Museum in Frankfurt presented fragments of the original façade that had survived in the city’s archives – around 60 per cent of the historic elements remain in good condition, making reconstruction technically possible.
The Salzhaus on a postcard from 1900 and the same site today. Photo by Wikimedia Commons and Yair-haklai, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Today, the Salzhaus serves as an administrative building. The ground floor houses the tourist information centre and the upper floors are used for office purposes. Although the modern appearance of the reconstructed building differs significantly from its Renaissance original, the red sandstone ground floor is still a reminder of the site’s historical heritage.
Source: fnp.de, veikkos-archiv.com
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