European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 5, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tipsy Tower Ideal Home for by John Millar Wurzburg Bureau legend has it that Ari abundance of wine has a lot to do with the Way the roof on the Kitzinger City Tower leans to one Side like a party Cap cocked on the Side of a slightly inebriated reveler s head. Some say the roof s framework slants to one Side because when it was built in the German town Between 1469 and 1496, a drought forced masons to use wine instead of water while mixing mortar for the Structure making for a weaker Binder. Others say that the drought forced craftsman building the Tower to quench their thirst with a draught of wine instead of water. Either Way the Schiefer term or slanting Tower seems an appropriate Structure for what s housed inside a a museum dedicated to the revelry and rowdiness of Germany s annual carnival and Fasching celebrations. Inside Kitzinger s German Fasching museum is a treasure trove of masks costumed mannequins medals tickets and party paraphernalia depicting not Only Germany s annual celebrations but also those throughout the world. There Are displays featuring mexican carnival a t ui�0 us amps John Millar a costumed mannequin looms above visitors climbing the museum s stairs. Masks that Are 300 years old As Well As ones from Europe made More than 2,000 years ago. There Are also exhibits on modern Day festivities and How they evolved. Touring the museum requires climbing the Switchback stairway that watchmen used when taking their Lookout posts High Over the City Long ago. There Are seven floors to the Tower and each level represents the progression of carnival celebrations through time. For example at the top of the first flight of stairs Are mannequins dressed in costumes like those worn by germans in pre Christian times when Fasching was a ritual to Ward off evil Winter spirits. Another display on the first Landing features masks dating Back to when the romans occupied what is now Germany and held annual celebrations for the ancient gods Bacchus and Saturn a both symbols of Fertility and agriculture. Climbing the stairs to the upper Levels of the Tower takes visitors from the times of Pagan rituals to the introduction of christianity when the Celebration turned into a massive eating and drinking festival just prior to the 40-Day fasting season of Lent. On the fifth floor paintings and prints Tell a Story of How carnival was celebrated 500 years ago. Back then German common Folk celebrated in the streets while the affluent took to ballrooms and indoor Halls to protect elaborate and expensive costumes. Another room on this floor features the Advent of the traditional Fasching Cap which resembles a Jester s Headpiece and the birth of carnival in Venice. With the venetian Celebration came the half mask that left the lower part of the face free to sing shout and kiss with. Several of these Are on display. Just under the crooked Cap that is the Tower s roof is the attic room. This floor depicts the German Celebration As it is today with costumes flags and other items representing the big party towns such As Mainz Cologne Frankfurt and Nurnberg. Mannequins dressed As jesters and Clown like revellers represent the More politically oriented Mainz celebrations while those dressed As Kings and Queens show the romantic flavor of festivities in Cologne. The bavarian District of Franconia of which Kitzinger is a part is also represented. The museum is open 2-5 . Saturdays and sundays from april through november. The fact that it s not open during the Fasching season is probably because the old Stone Tower has no heat. However those wanting to visit during the colder months can arrange to do so by calling 09321-23355 or 09321-4686, but remember to take a coat. Admission is 2 Marks about $1.20 for adults 1 Mark for children and students. The German Fasching museum can be reached by taking the Kitzinger exit just South of Wurzburg on autobahn 3. Once in Kitzinger take Highway b-0 into the Center of town toward Wurzburg. The Tower will be on the right Side of the Road and is easy to spot As it looks As though it s Nad a Little too much wine. The slanting Tower of Kitzinger houses items from carnivals past and present. S&8 John Millar a hand carved mask from Germany s Mitterwald hangs in a display Case. March 5, 1992 stripes Magazine