European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 14, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Scenes of Wertheim at left and below the collegiate Church at right a medieval Tower soars above the town Bottom a View of the River passing by the romantic town with its Castle in the background. If you prefer quiet out of the Way places Miltenberg is not for you. According to tourist office head Jurgen Leuner the town attracts Between 500,000 and 1 million tourists a year including 50,000 overnight guests. Especially during summer and the Christmas season Miltenberg is a mob scene. But despite its madding crowds Miltenberg should not be missed. It ranks among the most Beautiful towns in Germany. And because the vast majority of visitors Are Day tourists the town regains its quietude in the late afternoon. Quot at 6 . In the evening the City is empty Quot Leuner says. During the week it is also less crowded than on weekends. A from Miltenberg the River s course cuts East and North for 10 Miles. The wooded Bluffs of the left Bank make a pleasing contrast with the Hillside vineyards across the River. Just before the Valley veers hard North comes Wertheim. Squeezed into the Triangle formed by the Confluence of the Tauber and the main this onetime Royal City has retained its regal Mien. Like Heidelberg it is dominated by its Castle an elegant romantic ruin that looms above the City. Wertheim s medieval old town is just As Well preserved As Miltenberg a without being quite As blatant a tourist trap. It is a Hillside City with Steep red Cobblestone pathways winding up to the Castle. It appears deceptively Small Tor its population of nearly 20,000 but this is because Many of its residents live across the Tauber in the new town. Wertheim s heyday was in the 15th and 16th centuries when it was the Royal seat of the counts of Wertheim. As a tourist Center Wertheim plays second fiddle to Miltenberg but it is every bit As worthy of a visit. The Only must is a hike up to the Castle for the splendid Panorama of the Valley below. With its jagged Walls and empty windows Baclit by the Sun the ruin s visual Impact surpasses most intact castles. After the Castle hike visitors should plan the rest of their tour according to their interests. Other tourist Sites Are the Stifts Kirche lutheran Church the Engolph Runnin Angels Fountain the historical museum and the Glass museum. The tourist office is in the spice term pointed Tower remnant Turret of the it Ity Wall. There Are Many excellent shops offering everything from Antiques and artwork to books clothing and souvenirs. And few people will be Able to resist sampling the mouthwatering pastry at one of the Many Kondi Torrin and Coffee shops. The Best Low level View of the old town is from the left Bank of the Tauber which flows Crystal Clear and clean along the Edge of the i Ity to its meeting with the Muddy main. A a a driving into Markt Heidenfeld from the South one pm counters a nondescript residential Community of Concrete modern buildings. Unlike Miltenberg and Wertheim there is no Eye catching View or ancient Bandit Park to catch the Eye of the traveler. But fortunately for visitors the town does not live up to its first impression. Those who take the time to Stop their cars and walk Down from the main Street to the River will find a Well kept old town reminiscent of a seafaring Community. A settlement existed on the site As  Back As the eighth Century but it was in the Middle Ages that Mark Heidenfeld became a prosperous town of f craftsmen fishermen Inland sailors Farmers and vintners. In the 1800s it became wealthy largely. Through Commerce in wine and after a world War ii its population doubled with a Large influx of refugees from Germany s lost Eastern territories. Markt Heidenfeld Calls itself Quot the Bridge Between Forest and  this is a referent e to the town s main landmark the seven arched Stone Bridge that t losses the , As Well As its location at the juncture of the heavily wooded Spessars and the franconian wine Region. Most of the 10,000 inhabitants reside in the new part of town but Many of the older established families live in the old Quarter Esper rally in the Row of Homes along the main. Traditionally Many Lor Al residents went to work on the River and  some 40 Markt Heidenfeld residents still Quot ship out on the barges that ply Europe s Inland Waterways from the North sea to the Mediterranean. Or r Assn ally a bearded r a Tam will ont Mui d on Page 6 november 14, 1991 stripes Magazine 5