The debate currently raging in Italy about the placement of crosses on mountain tops has also spread to Tyrol. Alpine Club President Andreas Ermacora said they had a similar view to the Italian Alpine Club. No new crosses may be erected on the summit. But that has less religious reasons. Heavy criticism is coming down from the ÖVP, from the Minister of Agriculture.
“The Alpine Club decided 100 years ago not to build any new trails and huts anymore. The Alps have been developed. The statutes state the preservation of the originality and beauty of the mountains,” Ermacora argued to ORF Tyrol. That is why the main committee decided at the time in the 1980s and 1990s not to erect new crosses on the summit.
“There is plenty. The crosses on the top are a cultural asset. Everyone has a different relationship with them. But the religious background is second or third for us,” continued the president of the Alpine Club.
Cross requests rejected
No more summit crosses were erected by the sections of the Alpine Club. He remembers that there were two applications for new mountain crosses of the Alpine Club. But that was rejected. In addition, Ermacora alluded to the fact that setting up the crosses was also a big effort. In addition, there is also liability if something happens during the work, according to the lawyer.
Existing crosses must remain
“We have about 4,000 summit crosses in the Western and Eastern Alps. However, we are not in favor of putting a cross on every platform. There are also stone mandln or Tibetan prayer flags that can also be used for orientation,” said the Alpine Club president. The existing crosses on the summit should remain natural, Ermacora emphasized. And when an old cross becomes rotten, it is replaced. “But we don’t need any more,” said the ÖAV chairman.
ÖVP sharply criticizes the ÖAV boss
Violent reactions came from the ÖVP – and they were concentrated and sometimes sharp. The black chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Christoph Walser put it sharply: “This is a completely unnecessary attack on Tyrolean culture and at the same time also harmful to tourism.” “Ermacora’s arguments are completely useless — neither the development nor the security argument justify these statements,” says Walser.
One is “contrary opinion here,” it said from the People’s Party. “Summit crosses are part of our Christian tradition and our alpine culture. Just as the church has a permanent place in every village, summit crosses have become an integral part of our Alpine landscape,” Minister Norbert Totschnig told the president of the Alpine Club, which is also not entirely unrelated to the ÖVP. The crosses are “a sign of gratitude, spirituality and, sport-wise, a sign that you’ve reached your goal.” “The crosses on the summit are part of our mountains and they must remain so,” the Agriculture Minister stressed.
“Part of our Tyrolean identity”
The Tyrolean ÖVP club president Jakob Wolf also spoke out in terms of “pro summit crosses”. “Crosses on the summit are part of our Tyrolean identity. Not only are they prominent landmarks, symbolizing victory at the summit and a challenge conquered, but they also represent tradition and faith.”
Wolf is therefore “clearly opposed to a ban on the erection of new summit crosses, as this symbolism manifests our identity and connection to the mountains”. “For me, such a ban would amount to breaking our alpine traditions,” said the club president.
“A centuries-long tradition”
And the Tyrolean ÖVP Seniorenbond also spoke out. “Our country is Christian and placing crosses on the top has an ancient tradition. Of course there is a lot to consider when setting up an intersection. However, one must also consider what an experience it is for each individual hiker to reach one and be able to sign the summit book,” emphasizes State President and former State Councilor Patrizia Zoller-Frischauf.
The discussion went from Italy to Tyrol
The discussion about the crosses had started in Italy. Marco Albino Ferrari, editor-in-chief of the Italian Alpine Club CAI, said crucifixes would not appeal to all mountaineers. “No one wants to remove the crosses that have already been placed, but no more should be placed. Mountain peaks should be neutral territory,” said Ferrari, sparking a heated discussion. The Italian Alpine Club finally rowed back. The topic of the mountain crosses was never discussed in the Alpine Club, which is why there is no official position on it. Ferrari spoke just expressing his opinion.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
