European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 30, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Hilltop fortress Marienberg rises above the surrounding vineyards and the Banks of the main River. And gifts the Market is basically a place where fresh fruits and vegetables Are sold. But it should be pointed out that the Little stand in the Center of the Market that s open year round is said to have the Best bratwurst in the City. Old meets new in the area around the Market Beautiful landmarks such As the Neu Munster Church with its classic baroque facade and the Falcon House the former inn with its detailed stucco artwork Are surrounded by modern shops department stores and a Mcdonald s restaurant. Another few blocks walk can get you to the City s Rathaus or City Hall at the foot of the old main Bridge. The old building has a history of its own. King Wenceslas slept there in 1397 and promised to make Wurzburg a free City but later went Back on his word. Each year toward the end of Fasching season modern Day revellers occupy the marketplace and besiege the City Hall. The ruckus is a Rowdy re enactment of a peasants revolt in 1525. During the mock revolt Farmers and other common Folk Battle the forces of Royalty eventually storming the City Hall and capturing the lord mayor. The original uprising however was squelched. The peasants did manage to surround the Bishop in his mighty fortress but the ragtag army was destroyed while on the Retreat. The City Hall is Worth a visit just to see the uppermost room in the building s Tower. While the hallway Walls leading to the Tower room Are covered with pictures of the City in All its splendor the last room gives a different View of the c Ity it there sits a scale Model of Wurzburg As it looked Afteu Allied bombers nearly levelled it during raids on March 1 it 1945. The Model along with pictures of the c carnage is a sobering reminder of How the War reduced the Beautiful c Ity to soldering ashes. It also makes one think of the massive Effort that went into years of restoration. The City Hall lies on one Side of the old main Bridge built in the late gothic Era of the 1 5th Century. On the Bridge Are 12 larger than life statues of i 1 saints and a King. Because of its age the Bridge is now for pedestrians Only and leads to the foot of the Marienberg topped by the mighty fortress. Besides these sights which take at least a Day to visit Wurzburg has a number of Parks and countless either historical sights. Among them is the old Crane Park which features a japanese Garden. Greenery from Japan France the United states and other countries c an also lie found in the municipal gardens below the fortress that were the site of the bavarian Garden show in 1990. There Are restaurants representing cultures from China to India and Mexico and Back. Visitors can take in concerts from Rock to Bach go ice skating and swimming and take pleasure boat rides up the main River to nearby c cities. There Are also bicycle trails through the City and Many that run up and Down the River Banks in both directions. Exploring the nooks and crannies of Wurzburg could take years a and so can appreciating the City s sheer Charm and variety. It s Best to take time and do it right. Fasching celebrants fire confetti at the City s old town Hall in the annual reenactment of a 16th-Century peasants  tips Wurzburg Germany lies about half Way Between Frankfurt and Nurnberg on autobahn 3. Travellers planning to drive there should be warned of a few hazards. First off Wurzburg has almost no free parking and what free parking there is can be hard to find. So travellers should be prepared to either pay Park far away or spend valuable time looking for a space. A lot of headaches can be saved by parking in one of Many municipal garages where you pay when you leave. Metered parking requires running Back to the car to feed the meter a and you will have to As the City has a crack squad of ticket writers. There Are Many pay garages downtown close to the attractions but they tend to fill up fast. One located near the old Crane Park on the riverfront always seems to have a space however. Like most German cities Wurzburg has a lot of heavy traffic trying to move on streets originally designed for horses and carts so traffic jams or slow traffic can be expected especially during Rush hours. The City is also Busy trying to improve its Road network so construction can add unexpected detours. A Little patience and a Good map go a Long Way. The Best bet is to find a place to Park near the Center of town and either walk or take streetcars from there. Most of the big sights Are within walking distance of the resident or the Market Square. The fortress is across the River and a Steep walk up the Hill. There s parking there too but it s limited so those with children or backpacks should plan to take it easy. Taking the train will avoid the traffic hassles. The sights and sounds of the City Are a few Short blocks from the main train station a a walk that takes visitors right through the heart of the town and its shopping District. Streetcars and buses leave regularly from right outside the train station s front and Side doors and go almost everywhere. There s a mind boggling variety of places to eat in Wurzburg. One c an choose from Corner kiosks and bakeries to four Star restaurants depending on the size of one s pc Ket Bixik. The same goes for lodgings. Those on a budget May not want to look toward the Schloss Steinburg a hotel Castle or the luxurious Maritim for a room. Smaller inns and Ems ions in outlying towns such As Kitzinger Rande Sac Ker and rim Par will almost always prove to in less expensive a Little More Homey and provide an of a it a Unity to see other sights. Camping is also available in Wurzburg s Heidingsfeld area in Ochs Enfort about 12 Miles South on the main River and in Zellinger about the same distance e North on the River. Tours of places like the resident and fortress Are available for nominal charges. It costs nothing to walk around the fortress grounds through the resident gardens or to go inside my of the magnificent churches. A trip to the City could fax scheduled around special events sue h As the Kiliani fest held every year at the beginning of july or the Bach Days music festival at the end of novem or and Start of dec Emler. For More information on times Tours and costs Call the City s office of tourism and culture at 0931-37323 or 0931-37335. A letter bet is to Stop by the information Pavilion in front of the train station or at the tourist office in the Falcon House on the Market Square. Besides finding out what s Ojon and How much it costs visitors c an make hotel reservations and pure Hase guide exits a in English for walking Tours. A John Millar january 10, /992 stripes Magazine 5