I opened the restored Goethe Square, and hundreds of people celebrated it

Aš (Cheb Region) - Goethe Square in Aš is once again more of a square than a traffic intersection after six years. The city's renovation cost approximately 15.5 million crowns, most of which was obtained from a subsidy from the Regional Operational Program Northwest. Milan Vrbata, spokesperson for the Aš city hall, said this to ČTK yesterday. Hundreds of local residents did not miss out on the celebrations for the reopening of the square. The square, which was once the center of the city, now has a chance to become a significant part of it again.
    Since the reconstruction in 2008, when the traffic arrangement of the road was changed, the square became more like an intersection. The statue of the German poet, after whom the square is named, was also stored in the technical services warehouse. Goethe returned to the fountain in the square in August, and the modifications to the rest of the area have now been completed.
    "The handover of the construction has already taken place. The vast majority of the work is finished, and some bushes have also been planted. In October, a few trees will be added," Vrbata added.
    The costs of the square's reconstruction beneath the old town hall increased due to new utility networks being installed under the area. They are intended to be available for any future development. The square was historically surrounded by buildings, most of which have disappeared.
    According to the mayor of Aš, Dalibor Blažek, this is an opportunity for potential investors to build new buildings here, such as apartment buildings with a café, which would surround and enliven the square again.
    The square has received new paving and benches, with a water fountain being the centerpiece, on which stands the original Goethe statue. Inside the fountain, since August, there has been a time capsule containing reminders of the present day for future generations. It was placed there by representatives of the city in place of the one found in the original fountain during the square's reconstruction in 2008. The original capsule was from 1932.