Roadside Crosses of Hungary / Balatonúljak
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EN:
The cross in many different version is the richest & everlasting geometric symbol in the human religion & culture. The christian art's central symbol is the cross also called crucifix. The roadside crosses (in latin: crux viator) are all of openair crosses or religious symbols which are not standing on the place of church's liturgic act (temple, cemetery or calvary). These crosses were erected by the following not by the church.
Within the group of crosses we can mark crucifixes whereon are hanging Jesus Christ' body. There is not just by roadside, it can be found in significant or remarkable places for example at river bank, on the field, at the limit of villages or at the spot of former disaster.
The crosses were made by artisan, farmer or stone-cutter from the village. These memories are standing on open air so them have been prepared from durable substance (stone, iron, tin, etc...). The tiny shapes and details have been not so important because these have been vanished in time anyway. Their appearance were depended from the formal church's art, the craft tradition and the local people's culture.
Their role is in daily practice to facilitate the orientation between the different the geographical landscapes. Metaphorically, the cross serves the spiritual orientation and warns to recognize the limits (beginning and end, height and depth). Nowadays as a result of urbanization these crosses in the streets and squares of cities preserves the memory of the ancient settlement limits.
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Be careful in the choosing of the hiding spot because it's a memorial.
Please rehide it exactly as found and bring your own pen!
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