European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 24, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The romantic Road a detail in the courtyard of mesh Lebrunn tells the Date of the Castle s construction far left. A series of statues line the front Garden at Weikersheime Castle left. The beginning Aschaffenbur continued from Page 4 on to bad Mergentheim. This spa town was once the Center of the teutonic order of knights. Their Castle Home still stands near the Market sure where a statue of a Knight reminds visitors of the City s past. The order was at its Peak in the 15th Century when it ruled much of what is now Eastern Germany Poland and Lithuania. It remained a Power until Napoleon expelled the order in 1809. Soon after a Mineral Spring was discovered and bad Mergentheim has been know As a health resort Ever since. As we move toward the world famous town of Rothenburg we will first Stop at two other Sites less Well known but part of the reason the romantic Road is such a pleasant route. The first is in the town of Weikersheime where the Castle and Garden rival any in Germany dating from the 16th Century the Castle has seen Many additions. The richly decorated knights Hall Bone of the most impressive rooms. It was completed in 1603 and its Many paintings Tell the Story of the family of the count who called the Castle Home. Other rooms Are also on a caste tour and nearly equal in splendor. The Tours Are All in German but an English language Guidebook will provide All needed details. The most spectacular aspect of the Castle however is found outside in the Garden. The baroque Garden was begun in 1708 and is decorated with More than 50 statues depicting ancient gods the four winds the four elements and four continents among others. It 5s worthwhile to study the statues. Each has its own personality and the Guidebook identifies each one. If the season is right the Garden s Flowers Are also a Delight to the Eye. After leaving the caste Stop in the town s marketplace at one of the cafes for a Brief rest from Weikersheime the route continues to Cre Lingen although the attraction Here is a mile outside town. The Herrgott Kirche Church of our lord is unspectacular by itself but a wooden altar inside is magnificent and Worth a visit. The altar known As Mary s altar in some literature was created by Tilman Riemenschneider 1460-1531one of Germany s great woodcarvers. He created this masterpiece Between .1505 and 1510. The altar s Central theme is the Ascendancy of Mary and like so Many great works of Art we stumble on this Side of the Atlantic Ocean it causes us to Stop and rub our chins As we Ponder the skill that produced it with visions of this amazing altar still fresh you can leave the Herrgott Kirche and walk across the Street to the thimble museum where its Art is More comprehensible. From Here the Road continues to Rothenburg where the Middle Ages Are still fresh. The caste above Wertheim is a romantic ruin of fallen Walls and empty windows top photo. The Lovely Herrgott Kirche is Small but famous for its grand altar above. A Man evidently fond of Hunting is remembered with this interesting grave Marker near the Church. Stripes Magazine november 24, 1994