The Spinnerin am Kreuz, standing tall and proud, tells stories of devotion and even execution. This limestone monument, a mix of ornate tapestries and statues, is a masterpiece of late Gothic art. Its grand design, with its octagonal cross-shaped base and tapered spire, was the brainchild of Hans Puchsbaum, a renowned stonemason. Puchsbaum was a master of his craft, so much so he was even responsible for the spire of Vienna’s iconic Stephansdom.
But the Spinnerin am Kreuz is more than just a beautiful monument. It’s a beacon of history, a whispered testament to an era past. Once a marker of Vienna’s southern border, it stood sentinel against the vastness of the Wienerberg hill. This very spot wasn’t just a border, it was Vienna’s public execution ground – a place where hanging was the common practice.
The story of the Spinnerin am Kreuz, the reason for its name, is a poignant tale. A merchant’s wife, her heart yearning for her husband away on a holy crusade, would sit by a cross and spin wool. She vowed to build a piety column as a thank you to God for her husband’s safe return. Years passed, and her husband didn’t return. While some encouraged her to move on, she continued to spin, her faith unwavering. And then, one day, her husband returned, worn and weary. They built the Spinnerin am Kreuz to thank God for his safe return. In the years that followed, the Spinnerin became a symbol of hope for all waiting on a loved one’s return and a reminder to never lose faith.