European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 24, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Idar Oberstein Gem mining puts German town on the map map the Church in the Rock built in the 1400s, overlooks the town of Idar Oberstein. A amps John Bohmer by Steve scholar staff writer bring your walking and climbing shoes if you re looking for precious stones breathtaking scenery a Friendly City and great food and you Don t want to travel More than an hour or so from the Kaiserslautern area. Impossible to find not really. Located East of the a-62 just North of Baum older and tucked into a tiny Crevice of the Hunsuck Uplands is Idar Oberstein a town of 40,000 that traces its roots to the 10th Century Idar Oberstein sparkles from the moment you enter the City. It could be the smiles on the faces of those Lucky enough to live there or perhaps the Sun shining off the stained Glass windows of the Church in the Rock. More Likely though it s Light reflecting off the precious gems that literally line the streets of the City. Idar Oberstein has been a Mecca for lovers of precious gems for More than 500 years. As Early As the 1400s, miners discovered that Agate Quartz Rock Crystal and amethyst Lay in and under the Hills of Idar Oberstein. Not Long after miners found themselves scurrying through labyrinths in surrounding Hills looking for gems. Most mining was done by Farmers working Long hours on their stomachs n the Winter when their crop production Drew to a halt they would crawl into tunnels that were often so Small that they could t stand up. It was Back breaking work and it was not unusual to see old miners with humpbacks. The River Nahe which meanders through town provided Power for grinding wheels which Cut the gems. Gem mining brought Idar Oberstein to the forefront of world Gem finding however years of mining along with Competition from less expensive gems from around the world forced the closure of the last mine More than 100 years ago. Today the Steink Ulenberg mine provides a fascinating look into the world of Gem mining. Visitors Are Able to walk through and see the Many gems that remain. Groups of 10 or More can Call in Advance and get a guided tour in English the Cost of admission is 4 Marks per person. The mine is closed in the Winter. Imported gems Are still important to Idar Oberstein. Talented Lapi Daries Cut the rough gems into miniature works of Art that May be purchased at any of the City s shops. Another landmark is the Church in the Rock. Visitors to the Church built into the Side of a Mountain must forge up stairs that seem to Rise directly to the heavens. Those Brave enough to make the ascent Are rewarded with a breathtaking View of Idar Oberstein. The Church was built in the 1400s by Wirich in of Daun Oberstein the Grotto Church is simple but contains a magnificent five piece altar from 1410. Local legend has it that a local resident built a Chapel on the Church s present site As Early As the 11 the Century to atone for killing his brother above the Church lie the ruins of two castles. Built in the 11th and 13th centuries the castles provide a link with the lords of Daun Oberstein who built them. Shopping is a must Lor visitors. A pedestrian zone in the City Center allows leisurely visits to the hundreds of shops where Gem purchases Are easy and not always expensive. If you re hungry try Idar Oberstein s spit roasted pork and beef grilled Over an open fire. With the meat come a tangy radish salad and crusty bread. The City hosts a spit roasting festival each june. Idar Oberstein provides a vacation Retreat that everyone can enjoy. Trout and Carp can be caught in the River Nahe and the local streams and Ponds. Local swimming pools provide year round swimming. Museums and sports abound and the area is sure to provide enough to keep a family Busy for a Day or a week. In Idar Oberstein is the army s Strassburg Cavern. The meticulously maintained Cavern provides alternate shopping and eating facilities. 10 stripes Magazine december 24, 1992 ass John Bomor Young shoppers peer at the display of Quartz in a Gem shop. Walkers enjoy a nature hike up the Hillside in Idar Oberstein. A amps John Bohmer a amps John Bohmer slices of Agate can be bought at moderate prices. Travel Erst tips a getting there from the Frankfurt area take autobahn 5 to a 67, then a-6 to a-62. Take the Birkenfeld exit off a 62 and follow 8-41 North to Idar Oberstein. From the Stuttgart area take a 8 to a-5 to a-67 to a-6. Take a-6 West to a-62. Take the Birkenfeld exit off a-62 and follow b-4 i North to Idar Oberstein exit at the Idar Oberstein sign and follow the signs into the c Ity i he Distant e from the exit to the City is about 10 Miles. A eating try Idar Oberstein s spit roasted pork and beef grilled Over an open fire. With the meat come a tangy radish salad and crusty bread. The City plays Host to a spi roasting festival each june. The army s Strassburg Cavern provides alternate shopping and eating facilities. The Cavern is lot ated in the Village of algen Rodt Southwest of Idar Oberstein. T accommodations there is no billeting in Idar Oberstein at the Strassburg Cavern. For billeting travellers must go to either Baum older or Neu Brucke. The Baum older billeting phone number is Dan 485-1 700 or 74 3 3 and civilian 06783-6-1 700 or 743 3. The facility is open 365 Days per year from 8 . To Midnight and is open to All defense department id card holders. The Neu Brucke billeting phone number is Dan 48 3-7287 and civilian 06782-13-287. The facility is open monday through Friday 7 30 . To 5 . And on German and american holidays from 7 30 am to 4 . A attractions Many of the attractions shut Down or have limited hours during the Winter. The Gem museum i open through the Winter trom 6 am to 5 30 . Monday to saturday and from 10  Ltd 5 30 . On sundays the Gem museum is currently being remodeler but is expert term to re open in mid january. The museum of Idar Oberstein lot ated at the tool it die Huu h in the rot a is open from 0 . To 5  m. Inlay to saturday and from 10 . To .5 . On sundays tie. Hurt h in the Roi k is open 10  to 6  Iorii april 6 to it 2 5 and d . To 6 pan. From july 1 to aug 3 i. Admission to he it Hurch is 2 Marks Lor adults 1.50 Marks Tor groups of 1 0 or More and so pfennig Lor student t he i Ost of admission is the same Tor Lith museums 4 Marks Tor adults 3 Marks Lor groups of 10 or Moo adults and i 50 Marks for students. A spec Lal Sig its visitors Are Able to walk through the a Steink Ulenberg mine and see the Many gems that remain. Groups of 10 or More it an Call in Davarn e to get a guided tour in f English. The Cost of admission is 4 Marks per pern Ai the mine is it i wed m die Winter. A information the tourist Bureau should be your lust Stop in Idar Oberstein and it an be rear lied by c ailing 0678 1 27025. They Are Lor Atid just Ai Ross the Street from tile Tram station As you enter Idar Oberstein from the West. A Steve scholar december 24, 1992 stripes Magazine 11