Stone cross Welfesholz
The Welfesholz stone cross , also known as the Kapellenstein , is a historic stone cross in Welfesholz in Saxony-Anhalt .
nature
The cross is located west of the road from Welfesholz to Sandersleben at the northern exit of the village. It consists of red sandstone and is 1.68 meters high. The maximum width of the Latin cross is 1 meter with a thickness of 0.28 meters. Striking is a weathered, wheel-like depiction on the side facing away from the road with a diameter of 0.56 meters. The wheel has ten, possibly twelve spokes. In the middle of the wheel there is a four centimeter deep indentation, which can also be seen on the other side of the cross. Damage can be seen on the shaft of the cross as well as on the arm on the north side. The cross, presumably from the end of the 14th or the beginning of the 15th century, shows clear signs of weathering, but is relatively well preserved.
meaning
The meaning of the cross is unclear. There are several theories. It is believed that it is a boundary stone of the Diocese of Mainz . The depiction of the wheel represents a monogram of Christ or the Mainz wheel . The number of spokes is likely to be too high for that. Possibly it is an atonement cross , which was erected as atonement for a serious accident or a criminal offense. The wheel could then represent a wagon wheel that killed someone. Other theories see the cross in connection with a chapel originally located nearby. This chapel, which is probably reminiscent of the Battle of the Welfesholz in 1115, is said to have been renovated by Emperor Rudolph von Habsburg in 1289 and, after it had been desolate in 1723, was demolished in 1822. The term Kapellenstein, which can also be found, goes back to this view. Still other views suggest an old cult site or the place where Archbishop Adalbert of Mainz was captured.
literature
- Dehio, Handbook of German Art Monuments , Saxony-Anhalt II, Dessau and Halle administrative districts , Deutscher Kunstverlag Munich Berlin 1999, ISBN 3-422-03065-4 , page 864
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Dehio, Handbook, page 864
Coordinates: 51 ° 38 ′ 22.8 " N , 11 ° 34 ′ 0.9" E