The weather
crosses, also known as hail crosses or weather shrines, were erected by the
people to protect them from storms, but also signposted borders and pathways.
Often the wooden crosses have three crosspieces – as a symbol of the Trinity –
and bear witness to a deep attachment to the Christian faith.
The weather cross in Vöran
One of these
weather crosses stands on the Beimstein Knott in Vöran. The residents of Vöran
are all in agreement that it has been there “for ever, actually”. In a scenic
location, the cross, which is made of larch wood, towers over the valley in
close proximity to the “Attimo” installation, an arrangement of chairlift
seats, realised in keeping with sketches by the late artist, Franz Messner. If
you stand by the cross and look around, you can see everything: Vöran, the
Etsch Valley and the (hopefully) “good weather”.
By the way: In 2024, the farmers' youth of Vöran renewed the weather cross on the Beimsteinknott.