Photo: Steinwender

Spitalkreuz

St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Styria

The stately wayside shrine contains a crucifixion group attributed to the Graz sculptor Marx Schokotnigg. The crucifixion group depicts a crucified Christ, Mary, Mary Magdalene, and John the Evangelist. The life-sized, sculptural group is enriched with baroque fresco representations. With the painted depictions, the crucifixion group is linked to a meaningful iconological program. The Spitalkreuz was created between 1712 and 1714 and also serves as the starting point for the Kalvarienberg of Sankt Ruprecht an der Raab towards Breitegg – the so-called Breiteggerweg. This path runs beautifully along the Breiteggerstraße to the church of Breitegg, which you should definitely visit. On the return, you can follow the hiking trail or walk over the Kreuzweg Unterfladnitz.