European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - October 13, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse Houses Are a history lesson the town Hall of Alsfeld is a unique halt timbered Structure perched on Stone arcades which once served As Market place. The marts j Square is surrounded by picturesque � half timbered heritage Man of the old houses have Wood carved decoration. I i Story and photos by Linda White travel editor a Alsfeld is a fairy tale on Germany s fairy tale Road Hall Limber houses stagger along ils narrow lean Over the Pavc Merl others shrink Back sagging comfortably like elderly country women who have borne Many children the preserved and be slowed houses earned Alsfeld a place on the list Elihe 5 Bast historic european towns in 1975. European heritage year set in the Vei Danl Vogelsberg. About 10q Kilometres North of Frankfurt. It is a Lown of Small Hills nol Lou Steep a pleasant place for strolling the Alsfeld cily Younst office has published a Lealler in German Only to guide one s Sli Olls past 33 of the most notable buildings the round tour starts at the oly Hall a unique half timbered House with Iwin turrets pitched on Stone arcades thai once served As a Marvel. It ends on the loveliest Street the Riller Gasse etching up at inc ornate Minnigerode Haus which Servos As regional museum and tourist office. The houses Date irom the Middle of the 14th Century to the baroque and the in Uncle Lour which can he walked in about an hour gives an Caccini it picture of the development of half timbered Archile Clure. Llano houses have motions Ca Ved Ouer the doorways others arc decorated Vilh carved Wood figures one of the few Slone buildings is the wedding House standing a a Comer of the Tolar Koplau the Waid Purgis Church is Early gothic Wilh wooden galleries and a carved and painted panel of the crucifixion it is often locked however to one Side on the Kirc Platz is the Goose girl Fountain the costume the girl wears was described by the Brothers Grimm in i Jato red Riding Hood. In inc regional museum a wooden stairway spirals gracefully to the second floor guarded at the Bottom by a slam Long Orange lion the displays Are varied a wallpaper Panorama of Paris a bed dating from 1642 carved Wilh greek. Lalin and hebrew inscriptions a roomful of religious statues and a few rakish Angels suspended about the ceiling one Section port lays traditional handwork of the area Shoemakers potters butchers Coopers saddlers rope makers blacksmiths. The museum also has a collection of Metal shop signs and pipes in 1b29, Alsfeld had three try Zucco la tones. And a Vogola Beiger smoking Chih Enisley in 1898. The museum is open 10 a Ronnen Anil 2-4.30 p m. Entry is one a k about so cents for adults. Half Price Lor children Ai the entry one can pick up a variety of tourist Ollice leaflets including maps of the Lown. Listings of restaurants and hotels and Cal Brj is of events there Are plenty of Cates in town Good places to Slop m mid stroll if it s wednesday or thursday try the Alsic Der sati Kuchen a Olalo and Bacon tart at the cafe Rahn or Lako Home some of the local sausages which the Butcher shops pack in souvenir boxes or bags Alsfeld s surroundings can been toed on the wandering or cycling paths Bikos Are Tor rent at Georg Kropf und Sohn. In Lerga use 34 or by car. Some of the nearby villages scrilit2 and herbs join. Lor example also boast Hall i in belied houses for More information Contact stall inches Vermehr Suburo Riller Gasse 3-5, d-6320 Alsfeld Germany. Tel. Os631-4300. Page 14 the stars and stripes monday
