European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 11, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A downtown hotel in Oberammergau a looking just As tourists would expect. The dome of the Etta monastery is decorated with a Bright  photos by Jim Derheim As you walk into the Church Entrance there is a Small round Chapel on your immediate right. After seeing the Chapel walk through the cemetery and into the Church that was founded in 1147 by Duke welf i the brother of Henry the proud Duke of Bavaria. The Church has beautifully preserved choir stalls that were built after the Abbey Vas burned Down in 1525 during the peasants revolt. On to Neuse Hanstein after getting Back on the main read take a left on National Road 17 toward Frissen. Your landmark for making a left turn to the Castle is a Chapel with an onion shaped dome sitting in the Middle of a Field. The exit sign you re looking for is Hohens Gwangau Konig Schlosser Royal castles. If you make the trip during Une july or August beware of the lines lasting up to six hours to tour the Castle. The lines can be avoided by taking an arc tour that leaves at 9 30 . Daily from the  in Garmisch. This tour also includes a Stopf at the Church in  you arrive at the cattle parking area you can either walk tip to the Castle a strenuous trek or for 6 Marks about $3.75 take the horse drawn Carriage that leaves from the Lagerhaus a restaurant Complex at the Bottom of the Hill. English speaking Castle Tours 8 Marks Are Given every 30 minutes. Taking pictures is not allowed inside the Castle. After 17 years of construction work came to a halt with the death of King Ludwig the builder of the Castle who allegedly drowned in a bavarian Lake in 1886. Only 15 of the 65 rooms were completed. The first Stop on the tour is the throne Hall which features a 2,000 Pound chandelier made of gilded brass. The chandelier is in the shape of a byzantine Crown and holds 96 candles. The floor of the Hall is. Made of More than 2 million stones depicting animals Steingarden Fossen. A amps Susan Harris and plants from around the world. Next on the tour is the King s bedroom which consists of elaborate Oakwood carvings that took 14 Carvers More than four years to Complete. Ludwig s nearby dressing room is the Only apartment room belonging to the King that did not have a wooden ceiling. It also is where the King s jewel Box. Was kept. The Box must have been empty during his lifetime because Ludwig was $14 million in debt when he died. He was trying to borrow Money from friends to continue the Castle construction. The tour then takes you into a living room where pictures Are painted on silk Walls. In the Corner of the room there is a Large Flower vase in the shape of a Swan a Ludwig s favorite animal a a Symbol of purity. Next is the singers Hall which was finished Only a tourist takes  with his camera at the Distant shape of Hohens Gwangau Castle. Two Days before Ludwig s death. The acoustics of the room with its Oak floor and Pine ceiling Are said to be perfect. Concerts now Are Given each september. Ticket information is available by calling the a a Schwa Ngau tourist office at 08362-8208. The tour concludes in the Kitchen which was equipped with a hot and cold running water and a rotisserie. The Kitchen was manned by 30 people throughout the year and an additional 30 helpers when Ludwig was in residence. The Castle also was equipped with Central heating which noticeably was t working during our tour. After your tour take the path around the Castle to the see the spectacular View from the Farie Brucke St. Mary s Bridge overlooking the Castle and Lake. A Short walk away is Hohens Gwangau Castle less spectacular than Neuse Hanstein but possessing the warmth of a place that was actually lived in. It a is the Home for Many years of Ludwig s Mother and the King himself stayed there. From his second floor bedroom with its ceiling painted to look like the night sky Ludwig could watch Neuse Hanstein being built. The Castle is open for Tours. For those who prefer to leave the driving to someone else Linderhof Oberammergau and Ettal can be visited with an organized tour. There is an arc tour bus that leaves Garmisch at 12 30pm daily and stops at these three tourist attractions. For More information on this trips and others m the area Call the Tours office at ets 440-2546. A a a april 11, 199 stripes Magazine