European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 24, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The romantic Road fairy tale Castle greets visitors at Trail s finale the St. Mary Fountain and the top of the 14th Century Schmal for Cate stand Over Landsberg am Lech. By Doyle Tillman staff writer it s not yellow Brick and there is no wizard at the end. The stretch of Road from Augsburg to fussed is the Southern end of Germany s romantic Road a but there is a fairy tale Castle near the Road s end. The drive southward from Augsburg along Highway b-17 is relaxing a unless one happens to be the Driver a As the Clouds Drift Over the ridges of the German Alps. Traffic along this stretch of b-17 is sometimes More than a Little demanding. Through the Countryside of rolling Hills and grazing cattle visitors first stumble into Landsberg am Lech. Landsberg a picturesque bavarian town on the Lech River is both modern and historic. The Landsberg jail for example is where Adolf Hitler wrote mein kampf my struggle. Across the Lech visitors to Landsberg quickly discover that in the downtown area roads Are for cars. For pedestrians there is a system of underground passages to Cross under streets. The shops and eateries along the town s heart Are filled with modern conveniences As Well As Antiques and souvenirs. And dining features a menu of foods from across the spectrum of bavarian cuisine. The town Church constructed in 1458, is a Center of worship even today. A walk through the Church reveals Beautiful frescoes and paintings and elegant 19th-Century stained Glass windows. A Short walk up the Hill from downtown tourists can take in die new City museum which showcases Landsberg s history. The museum is open 2-5 . Daily. It is closed each monday and dec. 24 and Jan. 1. In addition the museum is closed throughout february and March admission is nominal. A directly adjacent to the museum is the Heilig Cross Church of Landsberg which was built around the mid-1.8th Century. The Heilig Cross Church is literacy a work of Art. The Sanctuary is Home to some of Europe s most Beautiful frescoes and murals which present to the Eye a Brilliant color scheme. The Church also features a lot of exquisite Gold plated adornments some of which Are currently under repair. Yet  is still in use and literature is available for a Small donation. From the Heilig Cross Church follow the Cobblestone roads up to discover one of the once walled City s incredible Gates. There Are maps to Point tourists to key Points in town at the Gate and through the surrounding area. A. Quot Quot. A. A �/.�. A. Landsberg was Home to a great Castle once but today there stands a school instead of ruins. The hike up to the school grounds brings the Lech River and Landsberg into View for a spectacular photograph. There is for those fluent in Cerman a Stone Marker on the site recalling the Castle that once was. Visitors walking Back toward the River will discover a pleasant Riverside area for picnic lunches or a place to rest or an ice Cream shop on the shores of the River. Across the River tourists will not want to miss the Herkomer a museum and Mother s Tower. The Tower. Was constructed Between 1884 and 1887 on the Banks of the Lech. The museum and Tower tour Are open daily except mondays and holidays from 2 to 5 . There is a nominal fee for entry. Landsberg is also Home to a few other significant Sites along the romantic Road. A Little farther Down b-17 is Schongar. Schongar is a bust. This once walled City offers Little for visitors except for the modern Esso station located on b-17. As a walled City Schongar is not at All similar to such great tourist towns As Dinkel Buhl or Rothenburg. Take 10 minutes fill the Gas tank and move on. Southward the romantic Road leaves b-17 briefly for an excursion to wies. Wies is Home to wies Kirche Church of the Meadow which stands alone in a Meadow reaching toward the heavens above Bavaria. 12 stripes Magazine j november 24, 1994