The new headquarters of the European Central Bank has been the focus of protests in Frankfurt am Main. Architect Wolf D. Prix could never have suspected that riots would overshadow the grand inauguration.
Image: Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach
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Frankfurt in flames
Frankfurt saw some of its worst riots in many years at the opening of the new headquarters of the European Central Bank.
Image: Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach
There were fires in Frankfurt ...
... and not just around the new European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters. Police cars in the city center were also set on fire. Because of the riots, the fire brigade couldn't deal with the fires properly.
Image: Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach
Riots instead of peaceful protests
Fourteen police officers and 21 anti-capitalist protesters were wounded in the first street battles in the early hours in the well-heeled western city of Frankfurt. Police initially arrested 19 people.
Image: Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach
A different look at Frankfurt's skyline
Even from a distance, observers saw an "unusual day" in Germany's financial capital.
Image: Reuters/Staff
Violence against police and firefighters
Seven police cars were set on fire, streets were blocked by burning stacks of tyres and rubbish bins, and shops were damaged in the city center. Protesters threw stones at police officers, firefighters and trams.
Image: Getty Images/DANIEL ROLAND
Violence against protesters
Activists from Blockupy (an alliance of about 90 groups who organized the protest) condemned the violence in Frankfurt, but also the force police used against protesters.
Image: Reuters/Michael Dalder
Tear gas and water cannon
Many police officers and demonstrators were injured in the clashes - but also as a result of police using tear gas and water cannon.
Image: Getty Images/DANIEL ROLAND
Eye to eye
Police arrested a total of about 350 demonstrators in the protest planned to coincide with the inauguration of the ECB's new 1.3-billion-euro ($1.4-billion) headquarters. The police union said it was the worst violence against police seen in Frankfurt in a long time.
Image: Reuters/Michael Dalder
'Solidarity means resistance'
A march through the city center and rally on Frankfurt's historic Römerberg square in the afternoon drew 15,000 people, according to police, though organisers put the number at 20,000.
Image: Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach
'That was not what we planned'
The leaders of Blockupy distanced themselves from the violent rampage that engulfed the skyline in smoke. "That was not what we had planned or agreed to," Blockupy spokesman Ulrich Wilken said.
Image: Getty Images/Thomas Lohnes
Unusual day
The wave of violence resulted in Frankfurt authorities shutting down some transport services and cleared the inner city of a large amount of private road traffic. Many ECB employees worked from home while some schools ended classes early.
Image: Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach
A dream made of glass
The new ECB headquarters in Frankfurt's Ostend district has 2,900 employees. It was completed in 2014.
Image: picture alliance/Klaus Ohlenschläger
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The cool, elegant façade of the European Central Bank (ECB) building could not shroud the serious violence taking place just outside its front doors on the streets of Frankfurt. Prior to the official opening of the skyscraper, critics of capitalism and police clashed, leaving more than 220 injured, burning barricades, torched cars and several arrests. Police used water canons, tear gas and batons against the rioters.
The "Blockupy" protests ended peacefully however, with 17,000 people demonstrating against the policies of the ECB. The building was always going to be political and a symbol of power - something the Austrian architect Wolf D. Prix recognized when drafting the design. As such, he sought to create a building which would feel relevant both to the people and to the city.