European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 12, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The old University City of marburg sits on the Banks of the River Lahn. Inset decorative metalwork adorns the door to the Church of St. Elizabeth. Opposite Page this statue of St. George is in the City Square. By Mary Neth staff writer be prepared for Stair stepping when you visit the University town of marburg on the Lahn. Crowned by a Castle that was once the Royal residence of Hesse this old West German City rises on a series of terraces. Some say there Are More Steps in the Steep streets than in the houses. According to one Guidebook it s a breathtaking walk up 448 of them to the Castle i did not count. Take those Steps in stride though marburg is Well Worth the Effort. Don to however try to do the City in a Day. It s a treasure trove of history and a wonderful place to relax. The half timbered buildings Are overflowing with interesting shops and cafes. In the Spring and summer swans swim on the River that passes behind the town window boxes overflow with Flowers and student cafes swing. In the Winter when Snow has cloaked the rooftops and the Christmas Market huddles at the base of the Cathedral the town also can be a Delight. It was a cold but Bright december morning when Christine Lienert a City guide met me just inside the Church of St. Elizabeth heralded As Germany s first purely gothic Cathedral. Lienert had volunteered to take me on a Short learning tour. From medieval to modern times this Small town has been in the Center of history. It was the Home of a Saint and the Early Center of the teutonic order of knights. It was the setting for the famous debate Between Martin Luther and Huldreich Zwingli. The vaccination for diphtheria was discovered in marburg by Emil von Behring. It is the burial place of Hindenberg the Man who appointed Hitler Chancellor of Germany. It s where Franz von Papen gave a speech in 1934 that so angered Hitler that it is said to have led to the infamous blood purge of june 30. It also is the Home of marburg University founded in 1527, and thus boasts a Long list of famous sex students including nine who have won Nobel prizes. One of the City s most famous sights is the Church of St. Elizabeth built Between 1235 and 1283 Over the site of Elizabeth s grave. Though it was influenced by the French cathedrals of the times it is distinctly different said Lienert. It s a Hall Church with aisles the same height As the  in the beginning the Church was the Center for pilgrimages to the Saint s grave the worship site of the teutonic order of knights and the burial place for members of that order and for the counts of Hesse. The pilgrimages came to a prompt end during the reformation when count Philip of Hesse forced the removal of Elizabeth s Bones. Today Lienert said it is a protestant Parish  the deeds of the Little Saint remain Well documented however in the stained Glass windows altar pieces and statues. The Sacristy holds the shrine that was constructed for her relics a masterpiece of gilded Silver and Copper in the shape of a Church with figures of the twelve apostles of Christ As judge and on the Cross and of St. Elizabeth and St. Mary at the narrow ends. The shrine originally was set with precious jewels and pearls but few remain. In medieval times the Cathedral rising in the midst of the townspeople s Small houses dominated the town and was the Center of daily activities. People came to sit inside and play games. The whole town gathered in it for Christmas and easter celebrations or to see mystery plays said Lienert. A copy of an old edict forbidding people from leading pigs in and out the doors gives you an idea of How Lively it must have  to separate themselves from the masses the knights held their religious services in a screened off Section. They were supposed to stand the whole while but the upturned chair seats allowed a bit of cheating a Little shelf to rest against. From the Church Lienert suggested a walk toward continued on Page 6 january 12, 1989 stripes Magazine