European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 03, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse The Silhouette of a statue stands in front of Augsburg s Cathedral. Ancient City packed with history by Doyle Tillman staff writer Augsburg is but an Island of history and culture along the Southern end of the romantic Road. Yet it is also a City Worth wandering through. The final leg of the romantic Road through Rural Germany starts Here and continues South toward fussed and the. _ austrian Border. The journey is self paced Rand the romantic Road costs travellers Only As much Money and time As they choose to invest. V " a Augsburg is Germany s second oldest i City one year younger than Trier and is a Good location for a family tourism Hub. The City is historic yet modern and bavarian roots run deep Here. _ once settled in a hotel and the baggage is put away visitors can begin exploration of Augsburg. This ancient roman City is Home to a number of cultural Sites and highlights some of the finest churches and cathedrals in Europe. Augsburg is a City ready for tourists. Maps highlight Tours that walk a person _ through the entire downtown area. The Tours Are self paced and the maps Are color coded and easily understood. To get started simply pick a Trail and follow. For those less fluent in German the tourist information office in the City s Center Square Sells inexpensive handouts and guides in English. Between the German Street maps and the guides visitors appear to have no trouble digesting the sights and sounds As they stroll Augsburg s streets. Just across the town Square is the Rathaus or town Hall. Entry is free and the first floor is occasionally Home to local cultural exhibits As Well As a scale Model of old Augsburg a walled City. Upstairs is the Gold room built in the Early 17th Century. The room features elaborate Gold plate adornments and Beautiful Fresco most of which commemorate the City s founding by the romans. The room was used by Dukes and other elite from 1620 until 1944, when it was destroyed. Despite the destruction an attendant said the roof and Glass were replaced before the end of world War ii. The room which is now used for City functions and tourism reopened in 1985 to \ commemorate Augsburg s 2,000th anniversary. Augsburg s Gold room is open daily from 10 to 6 . Admission is 2 Marks per person about $1.401 Mark .170 cents for children under 14 and free for children 6 and younger. Immediately left of the Rathaus is St. Peter Chapel which is quaint but far less impressive than most Otner churches and cathedrals in the City. Around the Corner from the Chapel is Perlach Tower which was built in989 for residents to watch for fires and invading neighbors. The View is great but the Tower is Only open from april 1 to oct. 18. Admission to climb this 231 foot tall Tower is 2 Marks $1.40 for adults and 1 Mark 70 cents for children age 17 and younger. To pay tourists must first reach the top where Tower guide Gerhard Schruth sits High above the City just below the Tower s 32 Bells. Schroth a City official said he rings the Bells at 11 a.m., noon and 5 and 6 . Daily. He s a Friendly face particularly for americans visiting the Tower. Schroth a former american prisoner of War said he served with Field marshal Erwin Rommel s Africa corps until his capture in 1943. As a Row he was detained in Roswell n.m., then Delaware and eventually near Coventry England before his Germany in 1947. His american experience left him extra rely curious and americans who visit the Tower Are frequently queried about their origins in the United states. Continued on Page 10 Augsburg City map Cathedral Obj Attersall Sis. Ulreh a Afra Church town Hall 5 fug Gerej a Rowboat makes its Way on the Moat surrounding Blatter City fortifications. Is november 3, 1994 stripes Tugume
