European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - November 11, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tour focuses on Cologne s Christmas the creche test there Fin Church in Beckhelm it adorned a tilt Jawett. Story and photo by Uno a White travel editor Reches or Christmas cribs Tell ttl8 Story of lha birth of Christ but lha scans of the nativity is different in almost every creche. Each Arlisle gives his own interpretation to the event. A variety of creches is on the Christmas crib tour uttered this season by the Cologne Germany tourist office. Groups can arrange the tour in English individuals can join the German speaking tour but almost always the guide or someone else on Board Speaks English. Last year the Lour visited several suburban churches. It was As much a Lour of the churches whose architecture ranges from traditional to Modem As it was of the cribs. St. Antonius in my Ahlheim has a creche of 19th-Century plaster figures. Hyacinths and Crocus As Wall As fir Trees Grace the scene. The forced bulbs appear in several creches. The  in Millheim was tilled with candles. The Nykolaus Church in Ducj Newald is creamy White with clusters of Moss Green tombstones in the churchyard. Sheep grazing in the pasture in front Are several shades Darker than the Snow. The crib is set before a Street scene of half timbered houses. The three Kings do not appear in the creche of is. Theresia in Buchheim a modern round red Brick Church. The two Shepherd boys seem Little older than baby Jesus who is seated beside a Cash of jewelry end is holding a string of pearls. St. Maria in Kalk is another Modem Church with wonderful stained Glass windows. Its crib is Large with cavorting lambs and a couple of women and children in addition to the shepherds. Children s Art depicting the Christmas Story is displayed along the Edge of the scene. This year the Lour will visit five churches in the Northern suburbs of Cologne. Dates Are dec. 28.29.30, Jan. 2, -1,5,6,7,8.9and 11 departure is at 1 30 . From the main tourist office across from the Cathedral Tours last about three hours. Cost is 15 Marks about $7.50 per person. Tickets Are available Only by Advance booking. Bookings can be made by mail until dec. 12 or by telephoning the tourist office 9  noon and 1 -4 . At 0221 2213332 or 2213388. Bookings by mail must have payment enclosed. Tickets Are limited so Book Early. Write to Cologne tourist office. Unter fete Whennen 19. D-5000 Cologne 1, Germany. Tickets will be on Sale at the tourist office from dec. 1 to 12 Between 9 . And noon. New this year is a Lour of creches i thin Cologne for children to age 14. The hours Are dec. 30, Jan 2 and 6 All 0 . They last about two hours. Cost is 3 Marks about . Once a ticket is purchased it cannot be exchanged for a different Date. All these Tours Are conducted in German. Groups can make arrangements for an English language guide at a fee of 115 Marks about $57.50. Visiting Munich s top Art museums Story and photo by Charlie Bowden Munich Bureau Beer and pretzels. That s generally in first thing that pops into a person s head atthe men on of the fun Loving bavarian capital Germany s third most populous  Munich also is known As an Art Loving City and the Art Lover s Delight is lha alte Pina Kotchek. Or old gallery celebrating its 150lh anniversary this year. The museum s collection of More than 20,000 paintings primarily works by the old masters of the 16th and 17th centuries ranks among the top ten in the world. While the Cornerstone for the building was not Laid until 1826 and construction completed 10 years later much of the collection that it houses was gathered by bavarian Royalty starting nearly 300 years earlier. Wilheln in Duke of Bavaria Gol the Ball rolling when he commissioned several paintings to decorate the Lusthaus in the Rosengarten of Tho Royal Palace the resident his son Albrechl v. Expanded the collections and built the first Structure that was to be dedicated strictly to Arl the anti aquarium. Maximilian 1 continued the collecting and had the first inventory compiled in 1598. The list 3,407 objects total included 778 paintings mostly portraits. Collecting by the Royal family entered a Lull until Maximilian Emanuel 8 reign in the Early 1700s. During this time the Schleissheim Palace was completed its design id rival the Palace at Versailles. Tha Royal family s Art collection had expanded beyond the capability of one Palace however and Many works were displayed it nym Henburg Dachau and in the resident. When the Witt Elsbach Lino died out around 1800, Maximilian in began to consolidate collections from other cities into Munich. During the 19th Century the collection of masters increased dramatically and under the direction of King Ludwig i the alte Pina Kotchek was built. On oct 16,1b36, the exhibition rooms of the new gallery were opened to the Public. Ten years later Ludwig built another gallery the Neue Pina Kolhok directly across from the old gallery this building was to House what was Ihen modern Art. Neither building was damaged during world War i but the were Pina Kotchek was destroyed and the old gallery severely damaged in bombing raids during world War ii. The paintings however survived the raids because museum director Horst Buchner had most of the works moved to the castles of Neuse Hanstein and Herrence Emsee. Reconstruction of the old gallery based on original plans look More than 10 years. The Neue Pina Kotchek was rebuilt on a new design by architect Alexander von Branca and first opened in 1981. The galleries Are open tuesday through sunday from 9 . Until 4 30 . The alte Pina Kotchek also is open tuesday and thursday evenings from 7 to 9 the Neue Pina Kottek on tuesday evenings from 7 to 9. Both Ere closed on monday. The Entrance fee is 3.5 Marks Aboul $1.75 for adults. 50 pfennings 25 cents for children a reduced Rale of 6 Marks is available for entry to both museums within a three Jay Span. There is no charge on sunday and holidays. Couple stud tit  it alte we run pc Page 16 the stars and stripes tuesday november 11,1986