Zugspitze summit cross is being restored: flood of stickers causes danger!

Zugspitze summit cross is being restored: flood of stickers causes danger!

The golden summit cross on the Zugspitze, which is an impressive 4.88 meters high and weighs 300 kilograms, has undergone an unexpected transformation in recent years. Thanks to the increasing popularity of stickers placed on the cross by visitors, the monument is now in need of much-needed restoration. The cross is currently covered with hundreds of stickers in three layers, which will be fixed in the following weeks. District newspaper reports on the upcoming measures to restore the cross, which are scheduled to be completed on November 28th - just in time for the start of the ski season.

To dismantle the cross, a helicopter is used to safely pick it up from a height of 2,962 meters. The goods are then transported into the valley by truck to the workshop of the experienced blacksmith Andrea Würzinger in Eschenlohe. The costs for the restoration amount to a low five-digit euro amount. A total of 500 sheets of wafer-thin gold leaf were ordered for the work, which amounted to around 1,500 euros.

Challenges for visitors

The increasing number of stickers is not just an aesthetic problem. Back in 1993, only three stickers were counted, in 2017 there were around 70, and now there are hundreds. Visitors often have to demonstrate acrobatic skills to apply their stickers, which is not without risks. The path to the summit cross can be dangerous as it is often slippery and snow-covered. It is also suspected that some visitors hang on the rays of the cross to pose for photos, which has already led to cracks and two rays breaking off.

The Würzinger family, which has been responsible for the summit crosses on the Zugspitze for decades, will also inspect the rays of the cross more closely during the restoration process. The original cross from 1851, which still has bullet holes from the Second World War, is now on display in the Werdenfels Museum.

Note the best visiting times

If you want to make your way to the Zugspitze, you should keep an eye on the weather conditions. Planning trips to the Alps can be tricky as the Alpine weather can change drastically within hours. Therefore, when visiting the Zugspitze, it is recommended to start early in the day when visibility is good. Rick Steves advises taking the first opportunity the weather presents to avoid crowds.

The restoration of the golden summit cross not only restores an important Zugspitze landmark to its former glory, but also improves visitor safety. It will be interesting to see how the cross will appear after returning to the high mountains. The possible combinations for a beautiful day in the Alps are unlimited, but the experiences at and around the summit cross are certainly worth the return.