Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

La Croix de Montorsier, erected at the beginning of the sixteenth century, stands at La Tourette in the Loire department. This stonestone monument, dated precisely from 1525 thanks to an inscription on its base, rests on a carved base and a square masonry platform. The base has two armored shields, one of which carries the arms of the Green family, probably linked to the strong house of Villeneuve. The barrel, adorned with a high relief figure, supports a historiated cross, also carved in relief.

The cross has undergone several restorations over the centuries. A first intervention took place in 1903, followed by a second after an accident in 1992. The original, damaged cross was replaced by a copy in 1998. Meanwhile, a wrought iron cross had been provisionally installed. Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 29 December 1949, this cross illustrates the funerary and memorial art of the Renaissance in Forez.

The monument is located near the town of Villeneuve, evoking an old house or castle associated with the Green family. Its current location, although documented, has geographical accuracy that is considered fair (note 5/10). Owned by the municipality of La Tourette, the cross remains a major architectural and historical testimony of the Stéphanois region, mixing religious and heraldic symbols.

Armored shields and the date engraved on the base offer valuable clues about its sponsor and its building context. The Green family, mentioned by its weapons, may have played a role in the construction of the nearby strong house, strengthening the link between this monument and local history. The successive restorations underline the heritage importance of this cross, preserved despite the hazards of time.

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