“Um dieses Kreuz ruhen tausende von Söhnen des Deutschen Vaterlandes” is the inscription etched into the Neininger-Kreuz. This translates to “Around this cross rest thousands of sons of the German Fatherland”. It stands as a somber reminder of a dark chapter in Freiburg’s history. The Neininger-Kreuz is not just a religious symbol. It is a memorial steeped in sorrow and remembrance.
Freiburg, during the Napoleonic Wars, became a critical transit point. It was a collection center for allied troops. These troops consisted mainly of Austrians, Bavarians, Württembergers, and Russians. Over half a million soldiers needed supplies. Overcrowding and poor sanitation led to outbreaks of dysentery and typhus. To halt the spread of disease, mass graves were dug near Metzgergrün and Gewann Eschholz.
Imagine the suffering. Picture countless soldiers weakened by war. They succumbed to disease far from home. The Neininger-Kreuz was erected around 1816. It served as a memorial to these forgotten victims of war. The Neininger-Kreuz was likely founded by the Adelhausen Monastery. It provided solace and remembrance amidst the devastation.
The Neininger-Kreuz itself is a wooden cross. It is darkly lacquered and adorned with five metal plaques. These plaques depict the wounds of Christ. An unknown artist created it. The image of the head is based on depictions of the Veil of Veronica. Three more plates show the hands and feet nailed to the cross. The central plaque shows the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the bottom of the Neininger-Kreuz, a plaque bears an inscription beneath a skull and bones. The plaque is backed with gold leaf arabesques on green. A small roof shelters it.
The text on the plaque explicitly references the years 1813-1814. It asks for a prayer for the souls of the soldiers. It also asks God to grant them eternal rest. The Neininger-Kreuz became a place for mourners. They honored the memory of those who perished in Freiburg.
As Freiburg expanded westward, the Neininger-Kreuz faced numerous relocations. The growing city saw the memorial as an obstruction. In 1907, some even considered the Neininger-Kreuz worthless. Despite this, it was slightly moved in 1908. In 1920, a local businessman, Heinrich Brenzinger, funded its restoration. Brenzinger also added a concrete base in 1925. The local Freiburg-Stühlinger association then took over its maintenance. In the 1950s, the Neininger-Kreuz found its current location. It is at the entrance of the former district nursing home. This is west of Eschholzstrasse.
The Neininger-Kreuz stands as a poignant reminder of war’s devastating impact. It serves as a call for peace and understanding. It reminds us of the shared humanity that binds us all. Take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made. Remember the lives lost so long ago. The Neininger-Kreuz is a place to remember them.