Construction of the ossuary XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Initial construction of the funeral monument.
1865
Restoration of the ossuary
Restoration of the ossuary 1865 (≈ 1865)
Building preservation work.
23 novembre 1987
Registration as a historical monument
Registration as a historical monument 23 novembre 1987 (≈ 1987)
Official protection by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Ossuary (former) (cad. AB 20): registration by order of 23 November 1987
Origin and history
Joppecourt is a listed historical monument located in the commune of Joppecourt in the Greater East Region. Built in the 16th century, it illustrates the funeral practices of the period, where bones were grouped in dedicated buildings, often linked to churches or cemeteries. This type of construction reflected both health concerns and a religious vision of death, common in European campaigns.
Restored in 1865, the ossuary was given special attention to preserve its architectural integrity and its memorial role. Its inscription as a historic monument in 1987 confirms its heritage importance. At that time, the ossuary also served as a tangible reminder of human mortality, integrated into the daily life of the villages.
Their presence often marked the centre of the villages, close to places of worship and community spaces.
