Ihlefelder Cross

Two things make this place on Betteleichenweg something special! The Ihlefeld Cross, probably built as a memorial cross. And the extraordinary guide, the Iron Hand!

The Ihlefelder Cross is the oldest field monument in Hainich. It is from the 15th century.
(Source: information board on site)

“Each of these crosses can tell its own story and what motivated people to build “their” cross on this spot. (...) These crosses were erected as visible signs and attract the attention of many people. The cross is a symbol of life. It stands as a sign of our Christian hope and wants to direct our gaze to Jesus Christ, who conquered death (…). The cross is part of our lives, just as it was part of the life of Jesus.
So I hope that many people ... visit the crosses, whether as places of silence and taking a breath before God, whether as places of community gathering, prayer and praise of God.
(Text source: Dean Rainald M. Ollig
in: “Wayside Crosses. Small sacred monuments as signs of popular piety”)