Twinning with MTK
MTK: Extending from vineyards, to close to the Frankfurt banking towers
MTK - Main-Taunus-Kreis
Although thought of as a ‘Twin Twin’ of Solihull, Main-Taunus-Kreis (MTK) is in fact a district (kreis) in SW Germany, being within the wider Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region, which is itself within the state of Hessen.
Although close to Frankfurt (approximately half an hour from the airport) MTK could also, however, be described as remote from the hustle and bustle. Geographically MTK is bounded by the Taunus hills, with their forests, in the north, and the Main river along the southern perimeter.
MTK - community, enterprise, commerce
MTK has approximately 240,000 inhabitants, is 222 sq. km in area and contains some 12 towns and local communities - the district capital being Hofheim. MTK prides itself on being an active and successful economic zone - being home to both modern and traditional industries.
Outward looking, in addition to Solihull, MTK is twinned with Loudon County, Virginia, in the USA.
MTK - towns in the region
Significant towns within the district - many of them being where STA members have stayed with their hosts, or routinely visit, include:
- Hofheim - the district capital where the administrative centre (the Kreishaus) is located
- Eschborn - with its strong commercial activity and international company headquarters
- Hochheim - located in the Rheingau and famed for wine-growing and the wine trade (and the origin of the British term ‘Hock’)
- Eppstein - with its medieval castle
- Kriftel - known for fruit cultivation
- Bad Soden - a traditional spa town
- Kelkheim - in the Taunus hills
Further details of these towns can be found on their individual websites.
As can be seen from these short descriptions of the towns/villages above, MTK is a diverse environment which is enjoyed by all Silhillians who visit.