European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 28, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Linbeck look at left a baroque office building at right a gothic  a a Lubeck continued from Page 7 of Schleswig Holstein. Others say however that it was merely the result of a political reorganization of Northern Germany. The hol Stentor through which Tonio Kroger walked is the City s Best known Structure. It is a fortified Gate flanked by massive Brick towers that have been leaning inward since the building was finisher in 1478. The West Side a the Side facing away from town a is familiar to Many an engraving of it appeared on the 50-Mark Bill before the Bill s recent redesign. But the opposite Side is even More spectacular with its three tiers of arcades and ornamental frieze. The Tower is a dark Reddish Brown color the result of a Glaze of Salt water of blood and soot that was applied to individual bricks according to Antje firnhaber a free Lance tour guide working for the City tourist Bureau. The bricks were then retired before the building was constructed and have held their color. Several Iron Hooks protrude from the Structure s sides. 1 hey wore designed to hold sacks of Sand and Wool to soften the Impact of cannonballs fired at the Galliv 1 he City however never found out if the strategy would work firnhaber said Bec Ause cannons were never tired at the1 Walls. A regional museum containing items found during i it v of i a Al ions is housed on the upper floors of the towers and a torture Chambe. Filled with medieval devices is in the basement. By 1863 the Gate was badly decaying and the town Council considered declaring it a ruin and having it destroyed. It was saved by a margin of one vote cast in favor of renovation firnhaber said. Today the hol Stentor is so much a Symbol of Linbeck. That a citizens committee sent a petition to the government in Bonn unsuccessfully requesting that the building remain on German currency even if Only on a Coin. Following Kroger s footsteps into town walk past the Row of six tall Brick Salt warehouses and Cross the trave River onto the Island. Tons of Salt from Northern German mines used to be shipped through Linbeck to scandinavian countries where it was used to preserve fish. Turn right along an Der Obe trave for a few Short blocks and then left up Grosse Peter Grube. Along the a right Side of the Street is a continuous stretch of splendid gothic baroque Rococo and Neo classical facades. Several of the Gables Are in the squared off Stair stepped style unique to Northern Germany and found throughout the City. At the top of the Street on the left there is a narrow Street that leads toward a puppet museum that displays about 600 items from its collection of 10,000 puppets marionettes stages and related artefacts from around the world. Farther along Grosse Peter Grube is St. Peters a 13th-Century Brick Church. The Interior is not particularly interesting because most of it has been whitewashed and is now used for music and theater productions. But an elevator in the spire takes visitors 150 feet up to a viewpoint with a Fine panoramic View of the City. A a it s a Short walk from St. Peter s to the Market Square and town Hall. The sprawling town Hall which stretches to two sides of the Square was begun in the 13th Century with various additions and modifications made during the next 600 years. The main part has an ornate Terra Cotta facade and an arc hed promenade and is topped by Needle like Spires. The main Entrance is on Breite Strasse and leads into a dazzling foyer of glazed Brick columns arching up to a High vaulted ceiling. Visitors can Check with the office on the left of the foyer for Tours of the building which Are Well Worth the time. Self guided visits Are not allowed. Breite Strasse is the main pedestrian shopping Street. It leads North from the town Hall and passes St. Mary a the City s most impressive Church. The gothic Brick Structure is anchored by twin Spires and flying buttresses. Inside Are several Small Beautiful chapels and a modern Organ built in 1968. During the Lone world War ii bombing raid on the City two Bells fell from a Tower and crashed on the Stone floor where they have been left As a memorial. Across men Strasse from the Church is a building called Budde Brooks Haus. It was named after Thomas Mann s novel Budde Brooks the Story of the financial and social decline of a wealthy 19th-Century merchant family. Mann was born in the House which in no slight irony is now a Bank. Mann s 1901 novel was not Well received by the people of Linbeck who Felt it unflattering. A Hal Century after publication of the novel Mann a who was awarded the Nobel prize for literature in 1929 a was nominated Tor the City s highest civic Honor but when the award was proposed in the City Council it passed by Only one vote. The Street level shops on Breite Strasse Are Little different from those in any German City but above the ground floor most facades have been maintained close to their original styles. Throughout the City most restoration is very tastefully done and Only a few buildings have been tarted up with Garish amusement Park paint jobs. The City takes Pride in its historic District and in its selection by Enesco a the United nations educational scientific and cultural organization a As a world heritage site. But City officials occasionally slip As they did when allowing construction of the heartless hard edged steel and Glass restaurant at the end of the pedestrian zone at Becke Grube. Like demons in a dream the building harshly intrudes into an otherwise Fine View 8 stripes Magazine november 28, 1991