Church of the Exultation of the Cross – Arson Attack (2023)
In the early morning of February 10, 2023, the thousand-year-old Church of the Exultation of the Cross (Kreuzerhöhungskirche) in Wissen was deliberately set on fire in a targeted arson attack. The assailant smashed the church’s back door with heavy stones, entered the building, and ignited a fire at the high altar, causing extensive damage to the interior, including the baroque high altar and significant portions of the ceiling frescoes. Local police later arrested a 39-year-old suspect in connection with the attack, who was subsequently sentenced to three years and nine months’ imprisonment. The blaze, with damage estimated in the millions of euros, forced the suspension of services and the long-term closure of the church for repairs.
