A project restoring the Sopron Old Town aims to boost culture and tourism, while also adding new structures for aesthetics and ease of transportation.
- 21 December 2015
Construction and pedestrian accessibility
The Fő tér, or Main Square, was reconstructed, as well as the historic Firewatch Tower. In addition, a new visitor centre and the Fortress Wall Promenade were built for learning purposes and to make the area more pedestrian friendly. Amber Road, the Roman Forum, and the main square were repaved. In the same areas, new utilities and decorative lighting were installed. Throughout construction in the main square, the Holy Trinity Statue was protected.
The Firewatch Tower, one of the most highly-anticipated parts of the reconstruction, was restored after years of decay due to weather conditions and the demolition of surrounding buildings. The front gate of the tower, which was previously unused, now serves as a reception area and museum, full of archaeological remains found during reconstruction. Highlights of the museum include the Roman Gate and walls from the Árpád period of the Middle Ages. The centre also has a coffee shop and tourist information office and serves as a stopping point in town for visitors.
The residents of Sopron have long awaited the extraction of the Fortress Wall Promenade, and visitors will benefit from improved pedestrian access as well. Extracting the walls surrounding the town revealed the historic protection system of Sopron, while also underlining the continuity of development from Roman times to present. Now, the promenade is a pleasant and historic walk for residents and tourists.
Community Efforts
The historic Old Town, and especially the Firewatch Tower, are symbolic to the area and important to the community. Local residents were engaged in the rehabilitation through educational actions and collaborating on visual plans. Visual designs have been created to transform shops in the town centre and have been presented in exhibitions. In addition, five jobs were created through the project.
Total Investment and EU Funding
Total investment for the project “Reconstruction of the town centre by preserving its values” was EUR 3 435 635, with the European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 911 787 under the operational programme “West Pannon” for the 2007-2013 programming period, under the priority axis “Urban Development”.