are upright, vertically placed stones, usually without signs of carving. These large stones, often erected individually or in groups, primarily appear in western Europe, with famous examples in France and the UK, such as those in the Stonehenge area. These structures may have had religious or astronomical significance.
were frequently linked with miracles, and many legends and stories about the healing powers of water persist today. In numerous locations, they were enhanced with embellishments, often enclosed or surrounded by small architectural structures.
The veneration of by the Celts and early Slavs (such as oaks and yews) continued into the Middle Ages, though in different way. Trees were witnesses to various significant events that people commemorated for centuries, including sermons (like those during the Hussite movement), battles, and the founding of villages.
While along roads are most characteristic of the Baroque landscape, they had been present in the landscape earlier. In the 18th century in Austria-Hungary, tree planting was further encouraged by decrees from Maria Theresa and Joseph II.
Many small monuments originated from the everyday use of the landscape. were gradually created by heavy carts moving along them. They created networks on narrow plots behind villages, while boundary trees or stones marked property lines. Peace stones and sacred pictures commemorated significant events. These uses of the landscape date back to early agricultural practices.
Simple from the Middle Ages, which have survived in some areas, were often erected at sites of crimes or tragic events. These crosses served to commemorate these events and to help reconcile the families of victims and perpetrators.