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Origin and history

Kaysersberg Cemetery Cross is a historic monument located in Kaysersberg Vineyard in the Haut-Rhin department. Dating from the first quarter of the 16th century, it was erected after the parish cemetery was moved out of the city walls in 1511. This displacement reflected a common practice at the time, aimed at removing burial sites from urban areas for health and symbolic reasons.

The cross was classified as historical monuments by order of 10 May 1995. It is located at Erlenbad, at the approximate address of 3 Erlenbad. Its installation marked a transition in the spatial organization of the city, while serving as a religious and memorial landmark for the local community. The sculptor Jean Bongartz is mentioned as the masterpiece of this monumental cross.

This type of monument, typical of Alsatian Christian architecture, played a central role in the social and religious life of the inhabitants. The cemetery crosses served not only as a symbol of faith, but also as a gathering point for funeral ceremonies and commemorations. Their presence outside the city walls also illustrates the evolution of urban and health practices at the beginning of the Renaissance.

Today, the Kaysersberg Vineyard cross remains an architectural and historical testimony of this pivotal period. It is the property of the commune and continues to be among the protected heritage elements of the Upper Rhine, contributing to the cultural richness of the Greater East region.

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