European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 17, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A tis the seasons amp Germany atmosphere makes up Fop Small size at pothen5upg 05 Dep tau5epby Ron Mckinney staff writer if Christmas markets were gauged by size the Weihnacht Markt at Rothenburg of Der Tauber in Southeastern Germany would be considered a dismal failure. But try telling that to the thousands of tourists who browse through the three dozen Booths each Day. Talk about ambiance this walled in medieval Village chartered in 1274, boasts a daunting criminal museum a twin steeped Church that dates Back to the 14th Century and has an Organ boasting of 5,500 pipes a craftsman s House with its Interior furnishings dating Back 700 years a doll and toy museum and historical vaults. Of and did i mention the town Square clock the Quot Meiste trunk Quot scene built 82 years ago on the councillors tavern overlooking the Square depicts the legendary act of 1631, when the Village s sex mayor chugged almost three quarters of a gallon of wine to save the town from destruction by an invading army. This charming Village Replete with half timbered houses Many of which have been converted into stores makes for an Ideal setting for Germany s Best a though Small a Christmas Market. Quot the Market opens to the Side of the town Square where a 40-foot-ta i ornamented Christmas tree stands. Many Stop to Munch on a bratwurst and sip some Clu Wein in the Chilly weather. Others go for a More tasty pastry. Despite the few Booths compared to the bigger cities markets there s still plenty to buy at Rothenburg. Among the popular items Are puppets ranging in Price from about 200 to 630 German Marks about $131 to $414. Small stuffed dolls and animals Slart at about 4 inches height for a Price of about nine Marks $5.90another specially from this area of Germany is Honey it can go for As Low As 3.50 Marks $2.30 for 250 Grams or Wald Honig Sells for 8.50 Marks $5.59 for 500 Grams. The end of the Market leads Consumers to the front door of Kathe Wohlfahrt s Christmas Village one of the world s leading Christmas gift retailers. That alone makes it the no. 1 contender among Christmas markets in Germany. Kathe Wohlfahrt s stores have about 65,000 items Tor sell a All exclusively Christmas items a from cards to books to ornaments to stuffed animals to just about anything you could possibly need for that yuletide gift Short of a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The presence of Kathe Wohlfahrt a complemented by the surrounding ambiance easily offsets the Small size of the Christmas Market and makes it a must Stop for your Holiday shopping. Rothenburg is about a 20-minute drive South of Wurzburg on autobahn 7. In town follow the directions for Par Platz 1 and Park there. The five minute walk to the Altstadt will be Lull of shops. The Market i open from 1 to 7 . On weekdays 1 1 . To 7 30 . On saturdays and i . To 7 . On sundays. N a amps Ron Mckinney Don Willts Sara Burton Natalie Greynolds and april Roy pose for Naomi Izzi in the Rothenburg. Market place. The group is visiting Greynolds who lives in Memminger Germany. A amps Ron Mckinney a visitor at the Christmas Market chows Down on a sausage above. Gene Frazier stationed in Ansbach Germany and his Mother Anita Frazier of Charleston ind., snap a shot of the clock in the Rothenburg town Square. Hand carved puppets Are a popular item at most German markets below. A amps Ron Mckinney a amps Dave Casey stripes Magazine december 17, 1992