Overview
- A helicopter lifted the 4.88‑meter cross from the 2,962‑meter summit and delivered it to blacksmith Andrea Würzinger’s workshop in Eschenlohe after a wind‑challenged but smooth operation.
- Hundreds of visitor stickers degraded the gilding and prompted risky climbs on the narrow summit as people tried to place them higher on the cross.
- The restoration will remove layered adhesives, sand the metal, apply protective lacquer, and re‑gild only worn areas using about 500 sheets of leaf gold.
- The Bayerische Zugspitzbahn expects a low five‑figure euro cost and aims to reinstall the landmark for the ski‑season start on November 28.
- To curb future damage, operators installed a smaller replica at the mountain station for sticker use, plan an information campaign, and are considering a protective film for the restored cross.