European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 4, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Views of her Stein include quiet Cobblestone streets and courtyards with Well preserved half timbered buildings that were erected Between 1600 and 1800. Photos provided by the her Stein tourist office her Stein a Gem itself passing through the Gate in her Stein s 15th Century clock Tower is like travelling Back in time. The thick Stone Walls of the medieval Market town Are Only partially preserved but they still seem to insulate it from the 20th Century. The town is filled with half timbered houses built Between 1600 and 1800 no modern architecture can be found within the ancient Walls. The town a picturesque Stop on West Germany s famous Gem route is a jewel itself. Bells ring the Quarter hour from the clock Tower and a prison Tower overlooks the Square. Legend has it that Schinder Hannes the German Robin Hood was imprisoned there in 1798. Another treasure is the Schloss Kirche or Castle Church. The first part of the medieval Chapel was probably built in 1000, and its style and ornaments show characteristics from gothic to baroque. Inside the Church is its Pride an Organ made by the famous Stumm family in 1772, and the so called her Steiner Tafeen or her Stein icons. During restoration work in the choir in 1959, the Organ was moved. Under five layers of paint on pieces of the wooden gallery once hidden by the Organ workmen discovered 12 paintings of Bible characters. They have been carefully restored. Nothing is known about the name of the Painter or when the portraits were completed. The Church also is known for its pre reformation baptismal font and grave plates. The Gem route winds through 18 other towns in the Hunsuck Region bordered by the Rhine Nahe and Mosel Rivers. The route is marked by special Diamond signs. Good starting Points Are Fischbach or Idar Oberstein on Highway b41 Between Bingen and Saar Frikken. By the 15th Century the Region was known for its mining and finishing of precious stones. At some 60 workshops along the route visitors can watch As craftsmen Cut and polish such gems As amethyst Sapphire Topaz and Ruby. Other highlights of the route include the Copper mine in Fischbach the restored Wildenburg near Kemp Feld which originally was a celtic fortification an animal Park below the Castle and an open air geological museum near Ensweiler. For More information on her Stein and the Gem route Contact Gunter Ottemann at  d-6583 her Stein West Germany Tel. 06785-7940. August 4, 1988 stripes Magazine i i