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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Cemetery Cross of Aiffres, classified as a Historic Monument since 1889, is a typical example of the medieval crosses of Poitou. It is distinguished by its quadrilobed section pillar, surmounted by a cone, and rests on a multi-degree walk. These crosses, frequent in the region, often marked funeral spaces and served as spiritual landmarks for local communities.

The Poitou, rich in lanterns of the dead and a cemetery cross, illustrates the symbolic importance of these monuments in the Middle Ages. The cross of Aiffres, devoid of lantern in contrast to other regional models, reflects architectural simplicity in the 12th century. Its classification in 1889 underscores its heritage value, although it is now communal property.

The location of the cross, near the church of Aiffres (476 Rue de l'Eglise), and its relative preservation (precision of location deemed satisfactory) make it a tangible testimony of medieval funeral art. Available data from Monumentum and the Merimée database confirm its status as a protected element, without mentioning specific contemporary use (visit, rental, etc.).

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