Carved into the granite a simple cross stands defiant. This is the Kreuzstein a silent witness to Goerlitz’s past. Located on the southwestern edge of town near the Schlaurother Strasse it marks a tragic event. The Kreuzstein is more than just a stone. It’s a memorial.
The inscription J H and 1834 tell a story. A farmer was struck by lightning. He perished instantly. His initials and the year of his death forever etched into the granite. The rounded corners of the cross soften the harshness of the tragedy. This is a place of quiet reflection.
The Kreuzstein is a granite slab. Its shape is roughly rectangular. It tapers to a flat trapezoid. The cross is deeply carved. The lines are bold and distinct. The stone’s weathered surface shows the passage of time. It has survived storms and the changing seasons.
Imagine the fear felt that day. A sudden crack of thunder. A brilliant flash of light. The earth trembling under the farmer’s feet. His final breath. The Kreuzstein is a reminder of nature’s power. It’s a symbol of life’s fragility.
The Kreuzstein is a poignant reminder. A simple yet powerful testament to a life lost. A farmer felled by lightning. His memory preserved in stone. The Kreuzstein a silent sentinel on the outskirts of Goerlitz. Come and see it for yourself. Stand in front of it. Feel its weight. Feel its history. It will speak to you.