Sacred stone, spring or grove
Erastvere cross forest, Kanepi
Erastvere ristimets, Kanepi · German: Errestfer
Beside the road from Erastvere to Ridali in Kanepi parish, 35 trees carry more than a hundred crosses between them. Each cross was cut into the bark when a funeral procession passed on its way to the churchyard, a South Estonian custom meant to stop the spirit of the dead from wandering back home. In nearby Põlvamaa cross forests, spruces were chosen for men and pines for women. The Erastvere grove was recorded during archaeological field surveys of south-east Estonia in 2012–2013 and is listed among the region's historical sacred sites.
Open it on the map See the spot on the old maps and as it is today
Eesti keeles
Kanepi kihelkonnas Erastvere–Ridali tee ääres kannavad 35 puud kokku üle saja risti. Iga rist lõigati koorde siis, kui matuserong kirikaia poole teel möödus – Lõuna-Eesti komme, mis pidi takistama surnu hingel koju tagasi eksimast. Lähedastes Põlvamaa ristimetsades valiti meestele kuusk ja naistele mänd. Erastvere ristimets kirjeldati Kagu-Eesti arheoloogiliste välitööde käigus 2012.–2013. aastal ja see on arvatud piirkonna ajalooliste pühapaikade hulka.