Evening star., 1935-03-24

year two windows high In the
i \ Drinking Hall of Rothenburg
open and two clock-work fig
ures re-enact the historic Master
Drink" A general watches from one.
while in the other an old-fashioned
burgomaSter raises q huge goblet, and
fitting back his head slowly empties
the cup.
1t was this huge draught which
saved the heads of the city councillors
in 1851, when Comdr. Tilly took the
city. He had sentenced the council
to death, but, mellowed by few
drinks of the city's wine, he agreed
to spare the men If one of them could
drain in a single draught a g.
quart goblet And ex-Burgomaster
George Nusch did. though he fell in
q swoon afterward.
On Whitsunday, June 9. Rothen-
burg will commemorate the "Meister-
trunck" with a delightful pageant and
the shepherd dance. Over 1000 citj-
zens will take part, some dressed as
soldiers of the invading army, others
as villagers. Costumes and scenes
will be carried out exactly, with cut
one difference-no one can be found
today to empty the 3-quart gob-
let as the old burgomaster did!
The costumed citizens in the
pageant fit we'll into the background
of the city for Rothenburg has hardly
changed since the day of the original
Meistertrunck. Great gabled houses,
steep roofs of red, darkened by age;
towers in the wall surrounding the
town, give one perfect illusion of the
Middle Ages. The population, too. has
remained static for hundreds of years,
and even today its citizens have not
had to build beyond the city walls.
RoTHENBURG's great neighbor'
~ Nuremberg, on the other hand,
has expanded rapidly in the last few
decades. The city famous for its toys.
its hops and lead pencils now extends
far beyond its old walls and the great
dry moat, 80 feet deep and 80 wide,
which gave the city additional protec-
ton in the old days.
Travellers, however, are hardly aware
Of Nuremberg's industrial life. Every
effort is made 20 preserve its old houses
with their steep roofs and dormers,
and the homes of its famous men,
such as Albrecht Durer, the painter,
now serve as museums. To preserve
its architectural character, the city
has passed ordinances decreeing that
all new buildings must fit in with
their surroundings.
Many travellers make Nuremberg
their base for exploring Bavaria, going
by bus or train in a few hours to Bay
reuth, Wurzburg, Munich, Augsburg,
Ratisbon and Regensburg. For this part
Of Germany with its many lakes, its
mountains, its fine medieval towns,
is one of the most beautiful sections
Of the country, and a favorite vacation
land for German as well as American
travellers.
EVERYWHERE, as one drives along,
one meets groups of four, five. ten
young people carrying light knapsacks,
for German youths are fond of walk
ing and mountain climbing. After a
hike of miles they spend the night in
a hostel, of which there are thousands
scattered over Germany.
In many cases these are merely old
farm houses and chateaux, but in
Bavaria IN particular fine old castles
now serve as shelters. In them one
can get a nights lodging and break
fast for a very small sum, and many
American college students join groups
of young Germans in these excursions,
for the hiking organizations extend
courtesies to foreign visitors.
Travel costs in Germany remain
low.
No matter what class accommoda-
tions travellers are seeking, two Ger
man information bureaus are OF in
estimable help. Most cities now main-
tain their municipal tourist informa-
ton Office, with lists Of pensions and
hotels, and any policeman will direct
visitors to It. In addition to the city
bureau, nearly every railroad station
has one, where clerks speak English
and willingly give all information on
prices, names and locations of lodging
places.
L