In Germany’s financial capital, traditional water houses bring people of all classes together

FRANKFURT Germany AP Frankfurt has become Germany s financial capital known for the country s only high-rise skyline But look closer to the ground and you ll find a tradition that brings rich and poor bankers and punks together The humble Wasserh uschen or little water houses have been a distinctive feature of the city since they started springing up in the second half of the th century Back when drinking unboiled tap water wasn t advisable the little kiosks offered bottles of mineral water They encouraged workers with the city s approval to drink affordable water rather than beer and schnapps They thrived as they weren t subject to the official closing hours imposed on shops And they were useful supply stations again in the immediate aftermath of the destruction of World War II These days there s more on offer at the water houses a quick beer candy the newspaper cigarettes sometimes cafe function with tables and the odd sofa on the sidewalk Laura Poellath a -year-old learner who works at the Fein water house says the little kiosks are like a living room in the city The people are very varied from young to old all the different groups are here she says Water houses are social meeting points says Hubert Gloss who offers tours of the houses that are spread around the city They are accessible everyone is welcome here it s a democratic place without these meeting points the city would lose something in human terms There were once of the freestanding kiosks but their numbers have diminished as a conclusion of new building and other factors Gloss says City officers say there are now about the greater part of them leased by breweries or distributors of drinks to their operators Photographer Stefan Hoening says nowadays s water houses are a place where everyone no matter where they come from and no matter what their pay grade can come together and feel at ease without being judged That s the good thing about water houses the -year-old says With kiosks you usually go there buy something and go back home Here people from all the different classes meet Source