A Cross That Survived History: Its history was not erased when it was sawed down

On the highest peak of Slovenia’s second tallest mountain, Škrlatica, which rises 2,740 meters above sea level, a cross has stood for decades, not just as a religious symbol, but as a living testament to history, tradition, and human resilience. This cross, known as the Škrlatica Cross, was erected in 1934 by members of the Skala Alpine Club (TKS) as a tribute to all who had lost their lives in the mountains. It remained untouched until the early 1950s, when it was mysteriously removed during the communist era, its remnants later found hidden beneath the cliffs. After nearly three decades, the cross was restored and returned to its original place in 1996, marking a powerful revival of a historical and cultural landmark. The story behind the cross begins with a tragic incident involving one of the club's members, Aleksandra Wisiak, known as Sandija. In 1933, he suffered a severe accident while competing in a ski race near Rožče. He vowed that if he survived, he would personally erect a cross on Škrlatica at his own expense. Unfortunately, he did not survive. His friends, the Skalaši, honored his final wish by constructing the cross themselves. Designed by Dragoljub Korenin, the structure was made from galvanized pipes, standing approximately five meters tall and weighing around 200 kilograms. A plaque bearing the inscription “ŽRTVAM PLANIN. T. K. SKALA. AVGUST 1934” was placed atop it. The cross was never intended as a political statement, but rather as a memorial to those who had given their lives in the mountains. The installation of the cross took place on August 26, 1934, when a group of climbers from the valley of Vrat carried parts of the structure, cement, tools, and other materials necessary for its reinforcement up the steep slopes. By noon, the cross was already standing firm on the summit. They also laid a commemorative plaque detailing the origins of the cross and the individuals involved in its creation. The event became a defining moment in Slovenian mountaineering history. Just over a year later, on August 4, 1935, the cross received a formal blessing from Bishop Gregorij Rožman of Ljubljana, a devoted lover of the mountains. Among those present were around 160 climbers and Skalaši, including a young Francis Svoljšak, who would later become a Jesuit priest and one of the living witnesses to the cross’s history. However, the cross disappeared again in the early 1950s. According to accounts and records, it was removed in either 1953 or 1954 by unknown individuals, likely under the influence of the communist regime, which sought to erase religious symbols from public spaces. The cross was sawed off and thrown over the northern cliff face, leaving behind only a roughly one-meter-tall metal base. The official responsibility for its removal was never determined. Over time, alpine climbers discovered fragments of the old cross hidden within the rock face and transported them down into the valley. “We found the remnants after independence and rescued them from the rocks,” wrote former Prime Minister Janez Janša in a social media post. After Slovenia regained its independence, renewed efforts began to restore the cross to its original location. The initiative was led by members of the Slovenian Mountain Club, particularly Dr. Henrik Tume, who continued the traditions of the former Skalaši. Alongside him were figures such as Janez Janša, Tonči Jeglič, and others. Their goal was not to erect a new monument, but to return the cross to its historic site. The restoration effort culminated in 1996, when the cross was once again raised on Škrlatica, completing a cycle of remembrance spanning more than six decades.