Cruciskirche, Historical church building in Sondershausen, Germany.

Cruciskirche is a former Gothic hall church on Planplatz, built from limestone and sandstone with seven exterior buttresses. Its steep dark grey slate roof has a glazed upper section, and a slender grey spire rises on the left; the lower facade is rough reddish-brown stone with a rounded arched entrance and a small circular opening above it. The three-storey crossing tower at the east end of the south wall holds a cross-vaulted crypt.

The building's origins trace back to the late 14th century, establishing it as the oldest remaining structure in the city. Over time the original medieval framework has been preserved while modern elements were added in recent decades.

The name comes from a legend: a shepherd cutting a stick on the Frauenberg found a green cross that bled, and a church was built in its honour; the gilded cross was reportedly stolen by marauding peasants in 1525. A sculpture of a man with an axe once stood above the portal, referring to this story. Since 2001 the Förderverein Cruciskirche has run the former church as a citizens' centre.

The viewing platform on the rebuilt spire is reached by a spiral staircase inside the tower; the former crypt below now serves as a sacristy and exhibition room. The building stands at Planplatz 9 and is used as a public citizens' centre, so check opening times before climbing.

The structure uses limestone and sandstone held together by seven external buttresses that have supported the ancient walls for centuries. This combination of materials and support systems reflects the careful engineering of medieval builders.