Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Cemetery Cross of Bourseul is a religious monument located in the municipality of the same name, in the department of Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany. Dated from the 18th century, it is distinguished by its base decorated with carved signs representing the four Evangelists: the angel of Matthew, the lion of Mark, the bull of Luke and the eagle of John. This type of symbolic representation was common in Christian art to evoke the authors of the Gospels and reinforce the sacred character of the place.

The cross was listed as historical monuments by order of 19 March 1926, recognizing its heritage and artistic value. This ranking is part of a period when many Breton religious buildings, often threatened by time or urban transformation, have been protected to preserve their cultural heritage. The precise location of the cross, near the church or within the cemetery, makes it a central element of the funeral and spiritual landscape of Bourseul.

From a historical point of view, the cemetery crosses in Brittany served not only as a religious marker, but also as a gathering point for ceremonies and processions. In the 18th century, when this monument was built, Brittany was marked by a strong Catholic practice, with rural communities organized around parishes. The crosses, often erected or renovated at that time, reflected both the local piety and the craftsmanship of the stone tailors of the region.

External links