---
title: Ox cross
url: "https://wolfgangsee.salzkammergut.at/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/430010225/the-ox-cross-memorial.html"
description: "The \"ox cross\" on a small island in Lake Wolfgang, just west of Falkenstein in the municipality of St. Gilgen."
date: 2014-07-29
modified: 2026-06-10
---

# Ox cross

The Ox Cross - Memorial
=========================

   St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Österreich

 ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/212862/BFD19A1FA2FD53AC20580B28A1C55C09CA0C7F96FFA27C1F2E28A9E02DA95CBD/ochsenkreuz.jpg)

 [    ![Ox cross in St. Gilgen: The picture shows a romantic tower on a small island in the middle of a picturesque lake. The surroundings are characterised by lush greenery and rolling hills, creating a peaceful and idyllic atmosphere.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/212862/BFD19A1FA2FD53AC20580B28A1C55C09CA0C7F96FFA27C1F2E28A9E02DA95CBD/ochsenkreuz.jpg)  ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/212862/BFD19A1FA2FD53AC20580B28A1C55C09CA0C7F96FFA27C1F2E28A9E02DA95CBD/ochsenkreuz.jpg)

 Wolfgangsee
 5340 St. Gilgen

 [  open in Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Wolfgangsee%2C%205340%20St.%20Gilgen "Link will open in a new window") [  Open in Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/place?address=Wolfgangsee%2C%205340%20St.%20Gilgen "Link will open in a new window")

   ![](https://static.ecmaps.de/staticmap.jpg?experience=webarchitektur-meta&lat=47.76262321886216&lon=13.386690616607673&width=991&height=450&project=ttg-basemap&zoom=2000&server=meta.tourdata.at)

 The "ox cross" on a small island in Lake Wolfgang, just west of Falkenstein in the municipality of St. Gilgen.

 Legend of a butcher and his ox ('Metzgerinsel'), wayside shrine 1579 and 1669:
According to legend, a farmer from Abersee drove his ox to St. Gilgen to be slaughtered.
This took place on a narrow path along Lake Abersee. (Abersee was the former name of Lake Wolfgangsee).
The ox suddenly shied and panicked due to falling stones. The farmer couldn't swim, but didn't want to lose his ox, which had fallen into the lake in the meantime. The farmer rushed after him and managed to grab the ox by the tail. The ox then pulled him across the entire lake to this small island.
Out of joy and gratitude, he had this small wayside shrine erected.

 [ Contact ](#ttgCollapseKontakt)
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 **The Ox Cross - Memorial**

 Wolfgangsee
 5340 St. Gilgen

  Phone [ +43 6227 2348 ](tel:+4362272348)
  E-Mail [st.gilgen@wolfgangsee.at](#mailto)
   Web [wolfgangsee.salzkammergut.at/detail…](http://wolfgangsee.salzkammergut.at/detail/article/993-das-ochsenkreuz.html "New window")
   http://wolfgangsee.salzkammergut.at/detail/article/993-das-ochsenkreuz.html
  http://wolfgangsee.salzkammergut.at/detail/article/993-das-ochsenkreuz.html

 ---

  **Contact person**

 Wolfgangsee Tourismus Gesellschaft

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 **We speak the following languages**

German

 [ Opening hours ](#ttgCollapseOeffnungszeiten)
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- opened daily
- open to the public
- Can only be viewed from outside

 [ Arrival ](#ttgCollapseAnreise)
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 [ Equipment ](#ttgCollapseAusstattung)
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- Food and drink available

 [ Suitability ](#ttgCollapseEignung)
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 **Season**- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter

 [ Accessibility ](#ttgCollapseBarrierefreiheit)
-------------------------------------------------

Please get in touch for more information.

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