European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 31, 1995, Darmstadt, Hesse A Man on a moped helps illustrate the scale of the shafts above As do people standing on the stairs below. Local businesses use mine cars to advertise their wares left. End of the line. Even while the car is still adjusting to the Stop bouncing As if it were suspended at the Bottom of a Large rubber band passengers Are asked to begin exiting. From the elevator staircases Lead Down to a Large dugout Cave with two Large doors at the far end. You wait with the group As a Buzier sounds and the doors begin to open slowly with the assistance of a Hydraulic device. V. This seems Al too familiar a at least to those who be seen Jurassic Park several trucks Are on the far Side of the doors each capable of carrying Between 25 and 30 people to. Continue the journey to the Center of the Earth through a series of winding tunnels. Moving in the open transports at speeds near. 40 Mph you get the. Feeling of Riding in some futuristic Mode of underground travel like something out of a science fiction flick. During the three hour tour the transport stops at various locations where guides Point out machinery used to mine Salt. The tour also stops at the nazi treasure a a vault miners museum and the Krystal bar and Grotto. At the treasure vault the guides explain How it was at this site that the american forces captured the nazi s Bank which contained artwork and precious Metal including Gold Silver and Platinum. It had All been do Ltd. Captured from its occupied countries. Treasures were returned to. The original owners arid the. Remaining loot was split 50-50 Between the allies and Germany. Quot no More like 80-20,�?� a second guide. Interject jokingly. A a. A a. At the miners museum you can used in the mine since its earliest Days along with several types of rocks and minerals discovered in the mine. A tour highlight is the visit to the Krystal Grotto. Here the guides show you a Large vein of halite crystals that was discovered by miners lights have been. Placed in the vein to show off its Beauty As it passes. Through the crystals it brings out the Rich colors of Blue and purple. It is now being protected and preserved so / that future generations May enjoy its Beauty. F visitors can visit the bar for a soda or water and Here they May Purchase a Small souvenir halite Crystal. After hitting the Points of interest it is Back to the elevator Shaft for the return trip. Once Back at ground level while leaving the mine visitors can reflect Back on How the rocks have formed underground Over thousands of years and How Many Miles a a of ground the tour the Earth s surface. A. See related Story on Page w he August 31-scptember 6, 7995 stripes Magazine 9
