Kreuzkapelle, Bad Camberg

The chapel was built from 1681 to 1683 on a ridge running north-east out of Bad Camberg, overlooking the Goldgrund area and the town. It was initiated by the Hohenfeld family, which also built a Kreuzweg with stations of the Cross around 1700, leading from Camberg up to the chapel.[1]

Interior, September 2020

The chapel was first built as an octagon located where the choir is now. It was expanded in 1725 to a symmetrical central building (Zentralbau) shaped like a Greek cross. While three of its arms are closed on floor level, the choir is elevated and can be reached by symmetrical stairs. It is dominated by a crucifix.[2] A crypt below the choir is hewn in the rock, holding the shrine of a cross relic.[1]

The upper church features wooden vaults, and several altars from the 18th century. The meadow around the chapel and the sexton's house is surrounded by a wall with eight sides. Seven stations of the cross along the Kreuzweg, by the Hadamar school of sculpture, are replicas of weathered originals which are held in the crypt.[1] Stained glass windows, donated by citizens of Camberg, were added around 1900.[2]

The chapel was a centre of the Catholic youth movement until 1933. Exterior and interior were restored by volunteers from 1975. The chapel is a landmark of Bad Camberg.[3] When the anniversary of the building was celebrated in 1982, a priest wrote that the chapel is a sermon about the cross, and believers come bringing the "crosses" in their lives.[2]

The building is listed in the Hague Convention for protection in the event of armed conflict.[4]