European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 29, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Chat authentic medieval Castle Burg Eltz located along the Moselle River stands much the Way it did nearly a thousand years ago. A amps Jim Derti Lemby Chuck Roberts staff writer there were about 10,000 castles built in Germany during the Middle Ages. Many have been catapulted and bombed to nothing More than Scenic ruins but Burg Eltz Castle Eltz stands much the Way it did nearly a thousand years ago. Located in an isolated Valley along the Moselle River this Awe inspiring Castle offers visitors the Chance to see authentic exteriors and interiors of a medieval Castle. Although hidden from sight it was family cunning rather than location that helped Castle Eltz survive a millennium of feuds sieges and two world wars. The Eltz family which has kept quarters at the Castle since 1157, had Strong ties with local rulers in the past. When the family Learned of a military Campaign to Burn and pillage in the Vicinity of the Castle the family would use its connections so that the officer in charge would spare the Castle. Today the Castle is bombarded Only by tourists such As Leo Reihsen a san Francisco native who toured the Castle with his wife and daughters. The Reihsen family is originally from the German City of Pitburg so Reihsen said he was glad the tour offered a lot of information about medieval history. The 40-minute Tours Are in German except for groups of 20 or More people but you can follow along with a written English translation. But the guides usually will give a Brief explanation in English before going to the next room. The tour includes nine areas of the Castle but getting to the Castle is an enjoyable part of the trip As Well. You can get to the Castle by car or foot but take the foot path if possible. The path slowly rises and winds its Way to the Castle beside a Small Stream set in a Lovely Forest. The trip takes about 30 minutes. Taking the path enhances the moment you first catch a glimpse of the Castle through the Trees. Your eyes turn skyward and your neck strains upward when the Castle appears suddenly before you. The immaculately trimmed Castle sits High on a Rock base almost surrounded by water. The tour of the Castle takes you through nine areas which leaves some tourists wanting More. A it whets your appetite Quot said Reihsen after taking a tour with his wife Janet and two daughters. Tour guide Simone Mergen said she Felt the same Way when she started working at the Castle four years ago. But Mergen said touring every room would take too Long and that one room would Start looking like another after touring so Many rooms. Mergen said she believes the current arrangement gives a Good representation of the entire Castle. The first room on the tour is the armory. It contains some of the oldest forms of fired weapons and Oriental bows and arrows that took years to construct of Wood Buffalo horns and fish glue. The Rii Benach lower Hall shows Fine examples of bulls Eye Glass windows common in the 15th Century. These windows were formed by compressing a hot Ball of Glass letting it Cool and then breaking the Rod Stem from the cooled Glass. The breaking away of the Rod accounts for the slight Dis figuration in the panes. Also in this room is the painting Virgin by Lucas cranach the elder one of the Best painters of his time and Friend of Martin Luther. At the other end of the room is an interesting painting of a Book from the Pacher school. The Rubenack upper Hall is decorated with a Green Arab Oriental pattern that was an unusual design for Germany in the 15th Century. The altar in this room was adjoined to the outside of the room because Canon Law at that time did not permit the use of rooms with an altar for living purposes. The great Hall is Home of a beautifully preserved Gobelin tapestry depicting the Sun god Helios dining with his sister the sea goddess thetis. During the tour you will climb a spiral staircase designed to save space and to help defend the Castle. These staircases were built to Rise with a clockwise turn so that the sword hand of attackers would be hampered by the Middle part of the staircase As they fought their Way up the Steps. The Tours ends in the Podendorf Kitchen a 500-year-old cooking room decorated with a variety of rustic cooking utensils. Pot Hooks in the Hearth meat holders hanging from the ceiling churns and other ancient kitchenware make this room one of the More interesting to visit. Stripes Magazine october 29, 1992