European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 18, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Travellers tips tour especially on a wednesday or saturday morning when it is filled with local vendors Selling vegetables and baskets filled with fresh and Straw Flowers for less than 10 Marks or $7. In a far Corner amid much smoke Are two stands Selling Coburger sausages. The sausage nearly a foot Long and the City s specially is roasted Over a slow Pine Cone fire and served with a crispy Bun called Semmel for 2 Marks. Some of the local bakeries also sell a pastry called Mohrke pee. These Are made of two puffs of White cake glazed with chocolate and separated with a fist sized Dollop of real whipped Cream. Compared with the cheap carnival imitations they Are a Delight. They Are also sold for a couple of Marks. Some of the Coburg s Best buildings Are at the marketplace. The town Hall behind the statue of Albert dates to the 16th Century. The style is Renaissance with lots of Gables and two towers with windows called Coburg Oriel. It s interesting that there Are More of the cozy alcoves outside the building than in it. About a Block to Albert s left is the Church of St. Maurice. It is named after the Patron Saint of the town St. Mauritius the Christian Leader of a roman legion. The City s coat of arms shows a likeness of the Moor and he s Likely to turn up anywhere a including on the City s manhole covers. A bit of exploring on foot can turn up a few fun surprises. For example the City s travel office a at Herr Gasse 4, a Block behind Albert to his left a has stacks of brochures in lots of languages including esperanto. And just across the Cobblestone Alley is a terrific Little statue of one of Coburg s most beloved citizens cur Ken Alex. This Little fellow was a door to door Salesman who blessed the City with his own Brand of Street philosophy and weather predictions earlier this Century. He is depicted wearing his oversized shoes and toting his bucket of namesake pickles. A few blocks further North at 29 is the Kloss Kuche a shop that Sells potato dumplings the size of softballs. On sunday mornings people line the Horst Dohler grills Coburger sausages Over a fire of burning Pine Cones. Block waiting to buy the franconian Staple made from shredded potatoes. At the end of the Block too is a Glass shop that often has Glass blowing demonstrations. Like most co burgers Hartan says that the first place he takes his out of town visitors is to the Veste Coburg or fortress Castle of the Dukes of Saxe Coburg Gotha that overlooks the City this is one of the largest fortresses in Europe the original Structure dates from the 12th Century the current buildings were started in the 16th Century and restored in the 19th and 20th centuries. Martin Luther not Only slept Here but was also Given Safe Refuge for several months after he was excommunicated by the Pope and put under the ban of the Empire. This is where some of his most important work was done for the Augsburg diet of 1530, a Milestone for the reformation. A Small Chapel named after him is located in the Fursteneau or Prince s residence. The franconian timbered building is in the fortress courtyard and is a must for those who like brooding medieval castles that were among the military hot spots of the thirty years War. In an adjoining Wing is a Small but impressive collection of coins weapons and Art. Inside the Castle is a Garden and about Halfway up the Hill is the hopfgarten which has an English Garden and one of the country s largest nature museums. The hopfgarten sits Between the fortress and Ehrenburg Castle where Prince Albert passed his childhood. The Castle built in the Renaissance style was remodeler in the 19th Century. The giants Hall throne room and lutheran Chapel Are among the More interesting rooms the Coburg provincial Library is also Here. Those deciding to explore the City by car will probably find themselves dodging a few trabant and Wartburg autos from the former East states. And those wishing to take a look at what was East Germany would be Well advised to Stop in Coburg. The City is a stronghold of Western hotel and tourist accommodations and a Good place to look for rooms before hopping across the former Border. Coburg is located on the Southern slope of the Thuringia Forest by the Itz River a tributary of the main. Autobahn do not reach this Lovely area of franconian farmlands that still have an occasional Field Chapel or Cross to bid blessings for a Good Harvest. To get there take autobahn 73 North toward Bamberg and follow the signs to Coburg via Highway 4. Once there All signs Point to the marketplace or Center of the City and the Veste. Other Sites and towns to visit while in Coburg include a Rosenau Castle the summer residence for the Dukes and the Birthplace of Prince Albert. A staf Felstein the location of the pilgrimage Church of the 14 saints the Kirche. The Rococo Structure was built by Balthasar Neumann and it commemorates the vision of a Young 15th Century Shepherd. A rodent Al Birthplace of sister Maria Innocenzia Hummel the nun whose drawings inspired the famous German figurines. The Goebel factory is also located there. A Neustadt a town devoted to the manufacture of dolls and Glass blowing just beyond it is the former East German City Sonnenberg for those who want to take a glimpse of the communist Experiment. A Lichtenfels a Center for Baske making. A Klumbach famous for its dark Hearty Beer served in glasses. For More information Contact the Coburg tourist Bureau her Gasse 4, . Box 1645, 8630 Coburg Telephone 09561 -741 80. The likeness of St. Mauritius the town s Patron Saint is just about everywhere including on this manhole cover. At right the imposing Veste Coburg overlooks the town. October 18, 1990 stripes Magazine 7
