Feilenkreuz

Journey back to 1678. The Feilenkreuz stands tall. It’s a wayside cross, a silent sentinel. It watches over the Trierer Straße, a road walked by countless souls over the centuries. The Feilenkreuz, also known as the Mehlbaumkreuz, isn’t just a cross. It’s a story etched in stone. Its red sandstone shaft and yellow sandstone cross speak of a time long past. The year 1678 is carved into the cross itself, a permanent marker of its birth. The Feilenkreuz bears the mark of Dr. jur. Theobald Meelbaum, a Trier councilman. His family’s coat of arms, a tree with roots, is proudly displayed. This symbol connects the cross to a prominent figure in Trier’s history. Meelbaum, whose name derives from the Mehlbaum tree (crataegus aria), left his mark on this monument. He served as the dean of the law faculty at Trier University and as a juror at the electoral high court. The Feilenkreuz also whispers another name. The street it stands on, “Am Feilenkreuz,” hints at a different story. The origins of this name remain shrouded in mystery. There’s a local tale. It speaks of French soldiers. They fell in the Battle of Konz Bridge in 1675 and were buried near the site. The cross, erected three years later by a member of the Meelbaum family, possibly serves as a memorial. A small, embedded cross on the shaft supports this theory, a common symbol of remembrance. Look closely at the Feilenkreuz. You’ll find small carvings covering the shaft. Some resemble house marks, adding another layer of intrigue to this historical puzzle. The Feilenkreuz stands as a testament to Trier’s rich past. It intertwines the stories of prominent figures, fallen soldiers, and local families. This wayside cross silently observes the passage of time, guarding the memories of a bygone era.