Kreuz am Haseleck

Tucked away amidst the rolling vineyards of Vienna’s 19th district, stands the Kreuz am Haseleck. It’s a simple wooden cross, you might almost miss it if you weren’t looking. But this unassuming landmark holds a story far heavier than its timber frame. The Kreuz am Haseleck isn’t just a wayside cross. It marks a place of sorrow, a silent testament to a dark chapter in Sievering’s history. This tranquil spot, now surrounded by the gentle slopes of vineyards, was once the Cholerafriedhof, the cholera cemetery. Imagine the fear that gripped this community as the disease swept through. The Kreuz am Haseleck stands as a poignant reminder of those lost to the epidemic. The cross also bears another name: the Weingartenkreuz, or vineyard cross. This duality reflects its place within the landscape, both a solemn memorial and a symbol of the life-giving vines that surround it. Walter Berger, writing in 1973, described the original cross as having a carved wooden corpus, a work of “rough, peasant, but still artistic hand”. He also noted the protective roof and deltoid-shaped back wall, common in Alpine regions to shield against the weather. Sadly, that original wooden figure is gone, replaced by one of cast iron. Yet, the Kreuz am Haseleck continues to watch over the vineyards. It’s a place of quiet reflection, where the whispers of the past mingle with the rustling leaves of the vines. The cross has also been called the Windhaberkreuz. The exact origin of this name is lost to time, adding another layer of mystery to this already intriguing landmark. While most of the remains from the cholera cemetery have been moved to the Sieveringer Pfarrfriedhof, the Kreuz am Haseleck persists. It serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of life, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring power of memory.