Here stands a testament to faith and remembrance: the Daringerkreuz. This is not the original, mind you. The original Daringerkreuz, weathered by centuries of Viennese air, now resides safely within the Wien Museum. What you see here is a meticulous copy, erected on August 26, 1955, by the skilled hands of sculptor Heribert Rath.
But let’s journey back to the beginning, to the year 1606. A man named Hans Georg Daringer, a respected citizen of Untersievering, commissioned the original Bildstock. Think of it as a roadside shrine. Daringer sought to honor God and create a lasting memorial to his family. Thus, the Daringerkreuz was born on September 26th, 1606.
The Daringerkreuz marks a significant piece of local history. Daringer belonged to an old Sievering family. They were already verifiable in the Middle Ages.
Take a closer look at the Daringerkreuz. Notice the four-sided base, topped with a pylon-like spire. And at its apex, a stone cross stands as a silent guardian. Etched into each side of the base are inscriptions.
The inscriptions on the Daringerkreuz tell a tale. One side reads: “HANS DARINGER / ZV VNDTER / SIFRING / ANNO / M DC VI.” It’s a simple declaration of the man and the year of its creation. Another inscription expands on this: “HANNS DARINGER / SAVRISCHER / VND TERTNA / ZV VNTERN / SEHFFRING / HAT GOTT / ZU EHRNIH / VND DEN SEINI / GEN ZV EWIGEN / GEDACHTNUS / MACHEN LASSN / DIESES CREUTZ / DE XXVIII SEPTEMB / ANNO MDCVI.” This translates to Hanns Daringer, of Siefring, had this cross made to honor God and as an eternal memory to his family.
Time, as it always does, took its toll. By the 19th century, the Daringerkreuz was showing its age. In 1814, Franz Stadler undertook a renovation, preserving what he could of the original. Another inscription reflects this: “RENOVIRT / VON / FRANZ STADLER / MDCCCXIV.”
The street nearby is named after the Daringerkreuz. Daringergasse was named in 1894 after Hans Georg Daringer. He donated the plague column with the memorial cross at the entrance to the street on September 26, 1606.
Even in replica form, the Daringerkreuz continues to stand. It is a reminder of faith, family, and the enduring power of memory. It connects us to a Vienna of centuries past. A Vienna where ordinary citizens like Hans Georg Daringer could leave an extraordinary mark. The Daringerkreuz is more than just a stone monument. It’s a story etched in stone, a legacy that continues to resonate through the ages.