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The basalt cross ((ドイツ語:Basaltkreuze)) is a particular type of stone cross found in the Eifel mountains of Germany and bears witness to the piety of the local population in times past. These crosses indicate their beliefs and superstitions as well as the wealth and standing of the people who erected them. Details such as accidents, occupations and prayer requests have survived, thanks to the extremely weather-resistant material of which the crosses are made. Their geographic distribution is centred on the basalt quarries of Mayen and Mendig, and covers an area with a radius of approximately 30 kilometres between the Rhine, Ahr and Moselle rivers. The exact number of monuments is not known. Local historian, Kurt Müller-Veltin, estimates that there are about 4,500 wayside crosses and about 6,000 grave crosses. The conservation of these monuments is undertaken by the Rhenisch Society for Monument Conservation (''Rheinische Verein für Denkmalpflege''). == Early examples == Wayside monuments known as ''Schöpflöffel'' ("ladle") due to their shape, appeared up to the 16th century. The ''Nischenstock'' ("niche post") was derived from it but a cross was added above the niche. File:Schöpflöffel Wassenach.jpg|Undated ''Schöpflöffel'' wayside monument File:Schöpflöffel mit Kreuz.jpg|1601 ''Nischenstock'' with cross File:Basaltkreuz einfach.jpg|Undated basalt cross File:Frankener Kreuz.jpg|A.D. 1751 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「basalt cross」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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