Basalt cross

The basalt crosses the Eifel are a proof of the piety of the former inhabitants. They give witness to faith and superstition, as well as prosperity and reputation of the installer. Evidence of accidents and occupational information and Gnadensbitten have survived permanently in this extremely weather resistant material. The distribution has its center in the basalt quarries of Mayen and Mendig. The area covers a radius of approximately 30 km between the Rhine, Ahr and Mosel. The exact number of Mäler is not known. Local historian Kurt Müller- Veltin proceeds from a stock of about 4500 and about 6000 grave wayside crosses. To obtain this corridor monuments, the Rheinische club is committed to historic preservation.

Breakfast time

Wegmale which are called because of their shape as ladles, incurred up to the 16th century. The niche floor is emerged from the ladle and already contains the cross as an attribute.

Niche floor with Cross 1601

Undated basalt Cross

Anno 1751

Datings

The earliest dated Mäler have been known since 1461 by the founder Clais Beligen.

Blessing stones

To receive the Blessed Sacrament ( Eucharist ) in field processions which niches are more or less pronounced.

1699

1881

Cemetery crosses

Particularly impressive cemetery crosses from the 18th century are preserved in Mayschoß and Dümpelfeld. The screen shows Christ body and icons, fonts, page gives information about the deceased person.

A signature page

Seven Swords

Drowned

Protection, defense and Punishment

In the early and high Middle Ages wrote the crosses protection against lightning, hail and other natural damage. Atonement crosses were erected in some places to satisfaction after homicides and other serious crimes. Also special accidents were often a cause for Cross Foundation.

Inscriptions and house brands

The inscriptions are usually held in German with mundartlichem influence. Year figures were initially presented in Roman numerals, later in Arabic numerals. A commonly used abbreviation is D.S.G.G. ( The soul of God 's grace ). The photo shows an example of the optimal savings in the font example MARIA

House brands are characteristic and property character of the clans or Hofzugehörigkeit. Through this representation, it is possible to assign the times the deceased or donors.

Workshops

Originally, the crosses were not produced in specialized workshops, but were by-products of other Stonemason. By 1630 begins the time of the cross- workshops and frequently crosses can be classified by the signature of the master.

Stone material

Technically it is considered in the Lavagesteinen from the quarries between Mayen and Mendig not to basalt, but a so-called Tephritlava. This scientific distinction has not been successful in general usage, as in the past here all the black, volcanic rocks are called " basalt ". The rock is relatively easy to work with because of its large pores, but still so weathering states that it survives the centuries without changes.