Museum Kirche zum Heiligen Kreuz – Großes Zittauer Fastentuch (1472), Zittau

About the location

Surrounded by a picturesque graveyard, the Kreuzkirche in Zittau is a Gothic church from the early 15th century that was deconsecrated in 1972 and is now a museum containing the Zittau Fastentuch (Lenten veil) from 1472. The star vault of the square chapel is supported by one twelve-sided central column. On three sides, there are one-story Baroque galleries. The largest museum vitrine in the world contains the famous Lenten veil, which for centuries separated the altar from the congregation during Lent. The veil’s long history of loss, damage, and relocation followed by restoration and preservation reflects the history of Europe itself.