Longinus cross

The history of Longinus crosses is closely bound up with the monastic orders that provided spiritual care in the Black Forest: the Jesuits, Capuchins and Cistercians.

[2] The popular missionaries of these religious communities erected mission crosses, on which the instruments associated with the suffering of Christ were displayed.

The links between the Anterior Austrian parts of the Black Forest and the imperial capital of Vienna, where the Holy Lance was kept, could have played a role here.

On older crosses, his figure is usually shown in the uniform of a Baden dragoon,[2] often accompanied by the verse "Truly, this was the Son of God" (from Mark 15:39) on his shield.

Often the figures of Christ were ordered from professional sculptors, whilst the instruments were carved by members of the rural population themselves.