Guided tour of the special exhibition: The Rupertus Cross. An icon of medieval treasure art

The guided tour of the special exhibition focuses on the Rupertus Cross from Bischofshofen, one of the most significant art treasures of the Early Middle Ages. Created in the second half of the 8th century, the cross is the largest surviving metal cross of its time and an outstanding work of European goldsmithing. Fire-gilded copper, glass pastes, and poplar wood give it a unique splendor.

The tour highlights current research findings, including material analyses and historical contextualizations, which provide new insights into the cross's origins and symbolism. Additionally, modern monument preservation methods are presented and compared with the 1963 restoration. Closely linked to St. Rupert, the founder saint, the cross embodies the Christian roots and cultural rise of Salzburg.