In Alsace, DRAC, the regional administration in charge of cultural heritage, has counted some 5000 rural crosses. Sometimes positioned at the margins of a crops field, rural crosses are often made at the request of the owner of a parcel, to put himself and his household under divine protection. Sometimes on a crossroad, on a bridge, they are meant to respond to the fear of the unknown, to protect from bad encounters. Travelers approached the sacred crosses, recited a prayer and continued on their way, hoping to get to the final destination, as soon as possible.