European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 5, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Black forests. Blasie slow paced Valley town could be Region s Best kept secret 7he Schmidt Arcade is Home to some Swanky clothing stores in St. Ulasien. By Chuck Roberts staff writer two questions come to mind when you first see the dominating dome in St Blasienz what is it and Why Haven t i Ever heard of this place before the dome is the Centrepiece of St a fasten Cathedral a former Benedictine monastery and current Jesuit College. The eyes gravitate to this enormous Green dome regardless of where you stand in this Small Valley town. St Blasienz is wedged Between the mountains of the Black Forest in Southern Germany near the Swiss Border. The Cathedral stands out among the surrounding buildings of St Blasienz like sir Laurence Olivier would if he had appeared in a Small town play. St. Blasienz May by the Best kept secret in the Blade Forest and residents such As aus Rotner Don t understand Why americans flock to touristy places such As nearby Titi see and ignore the More peaceful confines of St. Blasienz. The Pace of St. Blasienz is As slow As the tiny alb fever that flows through the Middle of town. Beside the River Are hotels restaurants and shops that Don t exaggerate their presence with Gaudy souvenir stands. Local shops offer Wood and Glass products Frodo focal artists such As Rotner who owns a Small Glass store on the main Street where tourists can watch the Glass being formed into shape. Most prominent among the shops is the Schmidt Arcade a Comer department store  like a combination of old South and old German. Peaceful Strol s can be taken through the Parks of the former monastery built in 1013. Although a peaceful place the monastery and Cathedral of St Blasienz has suffered a Stormy past that induces four Quot great fires the flood catastrophe of 1990, and the pillage and plunder during the peasant s War in 1525. The face of the Cathedral kept changing after each disaster until its present classical style was adopted m 1781. Even hardened Cathedral visitors will be impressed by the Interior of St Blasienz and the sheer whiteness of its interiors. The whiteness of the Marble floor Marble columns pews and ceiling of the domed Rotunda takes visitors by Surprise when they enter the Cathedral. Repeal visits inside the Cathedral Are tempting in order go get one More look. Outside the Cathedral lies what is considered one or the most Beautiful sundials in Southern Germany. Built on the former outer Walls of the monastery the baroque Sundial now casts its Shadow on the Wall of the District courthouse in the town s spa grounds. A a for the More energetic person St. Blasienz is situated closely within decent inexpensive downhill skiing at Feldberg local Cross county skiing hiking and water sports at the nearby Al see alb Lake traveler s tips a getting there St. Blasienz is in the Black Forest off autobahn 5. Exit the autobahn at the Southern Eric for Freiburg follow the signs on 8-31 to the tourist information office in Freiburg for lots of Heip Fui advice about the Black Forest a accommodations Good news Here. Because so. Blasienz in t a Mecca for tourists you Don t pay me prices for a room. Prices Range from As Low As 17 Marks about $11 per person for a room in a private residence to 80 Marks $53 at the Dorn hotel. However there Are rooms at the Dom hotel As Low As 32 Marks $21 per person for More modest rooms without a toilet or Casu a tourist information write am cur Gurten 1-3, 7s22 St. Blasienz Germany. Call the office at 07672-4143$ or a fax can be sent to 07672-4616. A Chuck Roberts 6 stripes Magazine november 5, 1992