European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 10, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Stripes photos by Tracy Baker main Hall of the Castle far left was restored with 18th-Century trappings by the boys a family of artists. Autos Are banned from gruyere meaning the Only Bustle on main Street left is caused by feet. St. Georges below offers Good Hilltop dining there Are better bargains in surrounding towns. St. John s Chapel and the Distant prisons viewed from the town Castle once Home to the counts of gruyere. 10 stripes Magazine april 10,1986 the counts of gruyere fortified their Hilltop town in the 15th Century taking care to ensure that the thick Walls did not Block out what is today the town s Best asset its enchanting views of the Sarine Valley. The tiny town is surrounded by Fields the Lush Green or White depending on the season Panorama broken Only by the scattered Browns of grazing Dairy cows and clusters of Bright red roofs. Farther in the distance Are lighter greens tree covered slopes giving Way to the first Stark peaks of the Grison Alps the craggy Range that holds the source of the Rhine. Inside the old Walls Are additional sights beautifully preserved 16th-Century houses and the 15th-Century Chapel of St. John. Visitors can also see the Home of Chalabala court Jester to the gruyere counts and farther up the main Street the place where he crowned around the town s 15th-Century Castle. The Castle was saved from destruction in the last Century by the boys a family of artists who repaired the crumbling fortress and did much of the inside decoration. A Large collection of canvases dark Moody paintings by a. Baud Bovy fill several rooms. The historical collection is a Little disappointing but there Are several Fine Flanders tapestries in the main Hall that Date from the 17th Century. An abundance of period furniture a Small collection of weapons and several sets of religious vestments from the 15th Century Complete the displays. Visitors May also be amused by the work of Graffiti artists from Over the centuries their work preserved under Glass bolted to the Stone Walls. The display includes the work of one particularly destructive scribbler whose flowery odes have defaced Many of the Castle Walls since 1255. The area surrounding gruyere offers the Nestle chocolate factory in nearby Broc Tours by appointment Only Cable car rides to the top of the 6,500-foot Mountain be Moleson and of course the Chance to Sample gruyere cheese in any of the scores of restaurants nearby that offer Fondue and other local specialities. For the latter a Multi language Booklet published by the Swiss cheese Union guide from age suisse is a must the guides Are available at tourist offices throughout Switzerland and at the Cheeser in springy. The Castle of gruyere is open 9 . To 6 . During the summer months 9 . To noon and 1 to 5  in Winter. Entrance is 3 Swiss francs. Gruyere is about 40 minutes South of Bern off the Highway on the Road connecting Bulle and chateau does. Cars Are not allowed inside gruyere but parking lots Are available at both ends of town. . Kominicki gruyere Castle rises above the main Street. Visiting in Early Spring is a Good Way to avoid the crowds lust keep in mind that Many of the town s shops and restaurants do not open until the beginning of May. Us Cerf april 10,1986 stripes Magazine 71