The Astrup cross

Astrup Cross – A Historic Boundary Marker in Northern Jutland
The Astrup Cross was originally erected at a boundary between the manor Astrup’s now parceled-out fields and the Mogenstrup fields to the north, where the road Eskjær–Mogenstrup–Astrup cuts through the old embankment. The cross still stands at this location, a couple of kilometers north of Astrup Manor, although the embankment has been removed, leaving only a small protected section bearing the cross and the National Museum’s preservation marker.

The cross is carved from a boulder and rises 90 cm above the ground. The width across the arms is 48 cm, and the base measures 30 x 19 cm, tapering slightly upward. Despite its rough shape, the small, skewed granite cross has a certain sculptural beauty. It features a square cross-section and is decorated with incised rope-like ornaments – two long parallel grooves with short, slanted cross-grooves between them, forming twisted rope-like bands.

One arm of the cross bears an engraved X, while the other is partially broken. The ornaments are crudely carved, and their age and purpose remain unknown. Researchers believe the Astrup Cross dates back to around the year 1176, the time of the first Grinderslev Monastery.