TheLonginus cross^[1] (German:Longinuskreuz) is a special form of theArma Christi cross, which occurs mainly in theBlack Forest, but also occasionally in other regions ofSouth Germany. In addition to theinstruments of the Passion, Longinus crosses depict the figure ofSaint Longinus as a horseman to the side of the crucifiedJesus. These crosses are usually made of wood and are about 3–4 metres high. Often they are topped by ahipped roof that resembles the roofs ofBlack Forest houses, and a back wall on which the figures bearing the instruments are depicted.

The history of Longinus crosses is closely bound up with the monastic orders that provided spiritual care in the Black Forest: theJesuits,Capuchins andCistercians.^[2] The popular missionaries of these religious communities erectedmission crosses, on which the instruments associated with the suffering of Christ were displayed. The links between theAnterior Austrian parts of the Black Forest and the imperial capital ofVienna, where theHoly Lance was kept, could have played a role here.^[2] The design of these mission crosses was subsequently copied by privatewayside and household crosses.

The feature of the Longinus crosses, the depiction of the figure of Saint Longinus as a rider beneath the cross, is probably explained by the popularity of the saint as a patron of farmers. On older crosses, his figure is usually shown in the uniform of a Badendragoon,^[2] often accompanied by the verse"Truly, this was the Son of God" (from Mark 15:39) on his shield. Many Black Foresters served as cavalry in the wars of the 19th century, due to their familiarity with horses and, on their return from war, made Longinus crosses in memory of their own military service.^[2]

Little is generally known about the woodcarvers who made the crosses. Stylistically, however, several individual artists can be distinguished and, in some cases, even their names are known. Of great artistic quality are crosses by the so-called "Herrgott Mattheubis", who came from the area ofSchonach. Often the figures of Christ were ordered from professional sculptors, whilst the instruments were carved by members of the rural population themselves.

Even today Longinus crosses are occasionally made. The older crosses are protected asKleindenkmale ("little monuments").

• Friedbert Andernach und Martin Ruch:Arma Christi- und Longinuskreuze im Erzbistum Freiburg. Blauer Reiter unterm Kreuz. Editions du Signe, Strasbourg, 2001,ISBN 2-7468-0423-9, 50 Seiten
• Rezension' by Hermann Althaus, Review of Andernach and Ruch, 2003.

• Crosses by form
• European folk art
• Black Forest

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