Crucifixion Relief and Grotto at Externsteine

Very nice rock relief, carved into the sandstone, it shows the descent of Jesus Christ from the cross. As one of the most important medieval works, thousands of visitors and art historians from all over the world are drawn to the Externsteine every year. With dimensions of 4.80 by 3.70 meters, it is the largest in all of north-western Europe.

The relief of the Descent from the Cross is unique in its kind and a work of art of European standing. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathia take the dead body of Christ from the cross in the presence of the mourning Mary and John the Evangelist. In the heavenly sphere, the sun and moon are veiled in mourning, God the Father gives his blessing to the event of salvation. In the underworld two people - maybe Adam and Eve? - embraced by a monster, a symbol of the original sin overcome by Christ's death on the cross.
The majority of art historians dated the depiction to the 12th century and is one of the most important testimonies of its kind in north-western Europe.

The relief of the Descent from the Cross from 1150 is one of the most extraordinary works of art in the area.
Given its age, it is well preserved.