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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The road cross of Saint-Juerry, erected in the 12th century, is an emblematic monument located in the department of Lozère, in Occitanie. It is distinguished by its granite base supported by three steps, at the end of a bridge crossing an arm of the Bes. Classified as historical monuments in 1910, it is considered the oldest in the department.

The cross has two carved faces: one represents the crucified Christ, while the other represents the Virgin. Four characters, interpreted as the evangelists, occupy the angles of the barrel at the level of Christ's kidneys. Small crouched characters adorn the side faces, and a profile, sometimes identified as St James, decorates the main face. Some historians suggest that Saint-Juerry was on the way to Compostela, making this cross a possible landmark for pilgrims.

The building rests on a simple but symbolic structure, with an elongated compartment topped by a full arching. Although its exact location is approximate (accuracy noted 5/10), its heritage importance is recognized. Owned by the commune, it illustrates regional Romanesque art and its role in medieval devotion, mixing religious and practical functions for travellers.

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