way of the cross
history
the "way of the cross" is a kind of sacral installation found in many churches and along pilgrims' paths representing the "via dolorosa" in jerusalem, i.e. the way jesus went from his condemnation to the cross where he finally died.
in medieval ages, pilgrims returning from jerusalem reconstructed the original route, divided into 14 stations along paths in their home countries, mostly along paths leading to churches, with the church itself being the last station.
this later was turned into 14 stations, marked by paintings or reliefs, inside the church itself.
the purpose of the way of the cross is to meditate on the sufferings of christ; on some days, the priest guides the community from one station to another while praying.