Image description
The image depicts the Heroes monument in the shape of a cross as a steel scaffold. At the bottom of the monument is the concrete socket with a brick-like texture. The access door to the former generator room can also be seen, it is represented as a full rectangle. On the right side of the building an arrow marks a man’s stature in order to have an element to compare to the grandeur of this unique monument in Europe.
Historical information
The cross on Mount Caraiman or the Heroes Monument, as it is called, was inaugurated in 1928 [Bibliography 1]. The monument is located at an altitude of 2291 meters and has a height of 39, 3 meters. Its arms are 15 meters wide. The base on which it is seated represents 8.35 meters from the height of the monument. It was built later. Inside, there was an electric generator that provided light for “120 bulbs distributed on the central body and on the arms” [Bibliography 2]. In 1939, this generator was shut down. That year, “the cross” was “connected to the national energy system”, and in 2004 to the “electricity network of Busteni” [Bibliography 3]. The transportation of the construction materials was carried out by train up to the Busteni station, using the “oxen-drawn vehicles” or the Busteni Paper Factory funicular for the heaviest materials. Instead, the light ones were transported with the help of locals who used “horses, donkeys or even backpacks” (Bibliography 4).
We have diverse information about the initiators of this monument. The available sources claim that the idea belonged to the “Tombs of World War I Fallen Heroes” Society, later renamed “The Cult of Heroes” Society. According to Andrei Berinde, in the absence of other information, “the researcher finds himself obliged to consider this information credible” as it was “kept in the collective memory” [Bibliography 5]. The “Caraiman Cross” website, which proposes the renovation of this historical monument and started fundraising for this purpose, states that “The Heroes Monument was built by the care of King Ferdinand and the Queen Maria of Romania between 1926-1928 < <for the glory and memory of the heroes who died during the First World War, 1916-1918, for the defense of the homeland >> “[Bibliography 6].
Bibliography
1.Andrei Berinde, Crucea de pe Caraiman – un monument misterios, available online at https://www.historia.ro/sectiune/general/articol/crucea-de-pe-caraiman-un-monument-misterios [August 2018].
2.Crucea Eroilor de pe vârful Caraiman din Bușteni, available online at https://www.cruceacaraiman.ro/crucea-eroilor-de-pe-varful-caraiman-din-busteni-program-complex-de-restaurare-reabilitare-conservare-prezervare-intretinere-si-reintroducere-in-circuitul-turistic/ [August 2018].
3-4.Horia Plugaru, Cerasela Bădiță, Vlad Rușeanu, RECORDURI: Cea mai înaltă cruce din lume amplasată pe un vârf montan, https://www.agerpres.ro/flux-documentare/2015/02/10/recorduri-cea-mai-inalta-cruce-din-lume-amplasata-pe-un-varf-montan-08-22-46 [August 2018].
- Andrei Berinde, Crucea de pe Caraiman – un monument misterios, available online at https://www.historia.ro/sectiune/general/articol/crucea-de-pe-caraiman-un-monument-misterios[August 2018].
- Crucea Eroilor de pe vârful Caraiman din Bușteni, available online at https://www.cruceacaraiman.ro/crucea-eroilor-de-pe-varful-caraiman-din-busteni-program-complex-de-restaurare-reabilitare-conservare-prezervare-intretinere-si-reintroducere-in-circuitul-turistic/[August 2018].
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