European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 23, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Of sulfa a is famed lot us wine is this restaurant sign indicates. Below the ornjd1 lir tit of fief old town Hall. A glimpse of the past in Ripe nag Zim or Artelj j989 Story and photos by John Miliar Wuu Burg Bureau thundering horses kick up Din during a massive cavalry charge on the sleepy Lawn on the main River defiant villagers repel the invader. Von won l she such exciting Bailies those Day in i in.1 tiny West German Village of sul Feld am main but add a Little imagination and Lake a closer look and sul Feld s past comes into vivid View. Stilz Foll about a mile soul h of kit Ingen and some if mile Southwest of Wurz Buff hates Back to the f in Century says Rainer Krum Pholia resident expert. On municipal history and part time Lour guide. Its first recorded documents Are dated in the year 915, the town probably came to be because ii was a place Between the River and the Hilis a very Safe wince near Al Lingen says Krumpholz. The location also proved Ideal for vineyards. But the town was not always the safest place to Jive. In 1266, Fields outside the Village were used for one of the largest cavalry Battles Ever fought in the. F ran Conla area Krumpholz says As two rivals waged War to determine who would Rule the  Feld itself was frequently the Large of invading armies. Even today most of he town remains surrounded by the Walls and towers that once " Iii lured would be conquerors. The town was once ii Ned by the Catholic Bishops who ruled the fun Conlan lands from Wurzburg Krumpholz explains but the Bishops and i hair soldiers were too faraway to offer immediate Protection. One attack was initiated by the protestant Earl of Ari Bath Brandenburg who ruled on the Othef Side of the main. While waiting for the Bishop s troops to arrive the townsfolk held their own thus saving us Lefeld from capture. The town s Creslo which is carved on the front of the Sandstone Kalhaus or town Hall reflects this heroism. Its three prominent crossed arrows Are a Symbol of bravery Krumpholz says and mayor Gerhard Schenkel says they also indicate thai the villagers wore Good  Kru Napholz who teaches at a secondary school in a Atzingen says the Wall around Sui feed were built in the 15th and 16th centuries.  and its 21 towers were once much taller he says but the age of Gunpowder reduced heir usefulness for defense. Three of he towers Are Bates to the City that visitors today can walk or. Drive through. As the Village grew some of the townsfolk literally moved into the Wall taking up residence inside the existing Lowers. Others built their Homes against the Wall Krumpholz says making construction cheaper they had one Wall and Only needed ," about 1,200 people live in Sulz feed today about 5do of them inside the Walls to says. Oncu through the wan visitors will find themselves on narrow Cobblestone streets that wind through the town. Most of the houses some gabled and some half timbered Are decorated with paintings and sculptures of Catholic saints. Banners and garlands also adorn Many of the buildings. Prominent sights include the Rathaus on the marketplace and he Parish Church of St. Sebastian which Sils at the top of the town inside the  Rathaus was but Fin 1609 under the direction of the Bishop of Wurzburg Lulious Nektar in re Naissance style. The building which has a gabled roof that seems to reach for the sky was built big so. That Nektar would be comfortable during visits to the town says Krumpholz. Nektar used the first floor of the building As a place to Rule Over court decisions for the town. A Kitchen and dining room were also housed on the floor for his frequent visits. Of blood was used to slain this wooden Walls of the second floor of the Rathaus which is now primarily used for town Council meetings says Krumpholz. The third floor is equally impressive with beamed ceilings and to t wooden Walls. The entire Structure is now undergoing  however Many of the building s elaborate Wall paintings Are being covered rather than restored due to a Lack of funds says Schenkel. Isl constructed As a Small Community Church in