The Cross of the German East is located on the Uhlenklippen cliffs south-east of Bad Harzburg.
The first cross was erected in 1950 on the initiative of Franz Kettmann, chairman of the Central Association of Expelled Germans. The inauguration took place on June 24, 1950 on a festive meadow in Bad Harzburg. On the following day, representatives of the Landsmannschaften and East German youth placed wooden coats of arms on the base of the cross and an urn with East German soil was walled into the base.
In 1962, a wreath of coat of arms stones was added to the complex. The wooden coats of arms on the base had often been stolen by souvenir hunters or damaged in some other way. From 1950 to 1964, the cross was illuminated by floodlights at night. Many rallies were held in front of the cross to commemorate the lost eastern territories and the Day of German Unity. Over the years, the Cross of the German East also fulfilled another function. It became a landmark for Bad Harzburg and a fixed point on the hiking map.
On March 4, 1998, a violent hurricane raged over the Harz massif. The Cross of the German East was its victim. A support association was founded to rebuild the cross and a donation account was set up. The willingness to donate surprised even the optimists, and the money was collected in no time at all.
The new cross was erected on September 15, 2000. Around 3000 people attended the inauguration ceremony on September 30, 2000. Since the day of the inauguration, a stone plaque has been placed at the foot of the cross with the following wording for information and to avoid misunderstandings: „Cross of the German East – Site of remembrance of expulsion and loss of homeland – Site of rejection of all tyranny – Cross of understanding, reconciliation and peace – Consecrated on June 24, 1950 – Destroyed by storm on March 4, 1998 – Re-erected and consecrated on September 30, 2000.“ The new cross cost DM 180,000. Source: „Remembrance in bronze and stone“ by Klaus Röttger
Publisher: Harzklub branch association Bad Harzburg
From the Burgberg, the middle path, marked with a red triangle and a 2 in a white circle, leads to the „Cross of the German East“ (555 m above sea level) on the Uhlenklippe.
Parking is available at the large parking lot in Bad Harzburg directly on the Bundesstraße 4 towards Torfhaus. From there, you have to decide whether you want to conquer the Burgberg on foot or take the cable car up the 150 meters to the top.
It is a good idea to start the hike from the Burgberg via the „Aussichtsreich“ HWN 121 and continue from the Kreuz des deutschen Ostens via the Rabenklippe HWN 170 and the Molkenhaus HWN 169.
