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Origin and history

The mile terminal of Bruère-Allichamps is a Roman vestige of the third century, discovered near the church of Allichamps in 1737 or 1757 according to the sources. Originally placed at the crossroads of Roman roads on the territory of the Bituriges Cubes, it was reused as a Christian sarcophagus between the fourth and ninth centuries. Its Latin inscription, partially erased, mentions distances in Gaulish leagues to Avaricum (Bourges), Mediolanum (Châteaumeillant) and Neriomago (Néris-les-Bains).

In 1757, prior François Pajonnet degamed her during excavations in the field Elisii Campi, revealing a Gallo-Roman and Merovingian necropolis. Taken in 1799 on the Place de Bruère by the Duke of Bethune-Charost, it was erected as a monumental column, wrongly symbolizing the "centre of France". A commemorative plaque of the Touring Club de France (1950) summarizes its history, though simplified.

The inscription, studied by François Jacques in 1974, suggests a dating under Emperor Maximin the Thrace (237 AD), known for his policy of road restoration in Gaul. The pillar, classified as a Historic Monument in 1909, also illustrates the frequent re-use of miles as a sarcophagus in the early Middle Ages, perhaps because of their prestige linked to writing and Roman heritage.

A second mile, mentioned by the Count of Caylus and dated from the Tacite era, disappeared. It indicated 13 leagues from Avaricum. The current 2-metre-high terminal rests on a three-step pedestal. Its Latin text, mutilated during its transformation into a sarcophagus, retains a triple indication of distances, a rare characteristic.

The terminal is now located at the intersection of roads D2144 (Bourges-Montluçon) and D92, near the Abbey of Noirlac. His movement in 1799, originally planned for 1789, was delayed by the Revolution. The cost of road works under Maximin could explain the unpopular tax requirements of his reign in Lyon and Aquitaine.

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