The Cross of the Mount of Olives

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Institution: 24 December 1909
Country: Germany (Kingdom of Prussia)

The Cross of the Mount of Olives (or Ölberg-Kreuz in German) is a Prussian award founded on 24 December 1909 as a decoration to commemorate the foundation of a hospital, the Kaiserin Auguste Victoria-Stiftung on the Biblical Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

The award was created by Prince Eitel Friedrich of Prussia. His very devout mother, Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, was fond of charitable works and built several churches and he and Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany had visited Jerusalem in 1898. They then pledged to build a hospital for Christian pilgrims suffering from malaria.

The Cross of the Mount of Olives was awarded to those who contributed to the Foundation, and the Augusta Victoria Hospital opened its doors in 1910.

The Cross of the Mount of Olives Design

The badge of the decoration is a red-and-black enameled Jerusalem cross, upon which is imposed the white cross of the Johanniterorden, the evangelical noblemen’s society which Prince Eitel Friedrich then headed as Grandmaster.

The badge is suspended from a monogram of the Empress’s initials, “AV”. The ribbon is plain white and the deserving were awarded golden or silver-gilt Crosses.

More Medals from Germany

Explore the selection below to discover medals from the Kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire, and beyond, showcasing the diverse array of honors bestowed upon soldiers and civilians for their service and sacrifice. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a novice enthusiast, our selection caters to all with its fascinating assortment of German military decorations.