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The White Cross returns: Greiz celebrates a new landmark!
On June 21, 2025, the listed Sophienkreuz in Greiz was rebuilt by helicopter and 80,000 euros were invested.
The White Cross returns: Greiz celebrates a new landmark!
On June 21, 2025, the time had come: the venerable summit cross on the Hirschstein, also known as the “White Cross”, celebrated its return to the city of Greiz after extensive work. This listed landmark has stood for a proud 187 years at a height of around 375 meters and was once built by Prince Heinrich XX. Reuss was built in memory of his wife, Princess Sophie, who died early. The return of the cross was a significant event for the region, and many residents were there to witness the moment. On Saturday morning, the city of Greiz had the eleven-meter-high, 1.2-ton cross transported back to its place by helicopter, as MDR reports.
The old wooden cross was getting old. After around 40 years, it suffered so much damage from lightning strikes and weather influences that it was no longer wearable. The rusty steel pole inside the cross was dismantled in mid-May after experts identified an urgent need for safety. A renovation would not have been an option due to the extensive effort involved. The owner of the cross, the Thüringenforst state forestry company, decided to have the cross recreated true to the original by a local carpentry workshop.
A look at the planning and implementation
The comprehensive renovation and new construction of the cross are part of a project that requires a total of 80,000 euros for the renovation. The new steel railing at the viewing point will also be replaced in the next few weeks. Due to the difficult access location, the work can only be carried out by hand and with wheelbarrows. This represents not only a technical but also a logistical challenge, as Die Zeit emphasizes. The state forestry company is in close contact with experts in order to meet the existing monument protection requirements.
Monument protection in Germany has strict regulations for the preservation and care of architectural monuments, which are particularly valued in this region. Any renovation must aim to preserve the original form of the castle and avoid distortions. The return of the St. Sophia Cross and the renovation of the associated complex show that the local administration has a good knack for dealing with historical sites. These efforts not only support the preservation of cultural heritage, but also promote the region's tourist attraction, according to das-baudenkmal.de.