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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Nanthiat Calvary altar is a small monument composed of a stone altar topped by a cross decorated with a crucifix and two seated characters. These figures are backed by a crenelated structure evoking a strong castle. Although its construction was attributed to the 13th and 15th centuries, its present appearance could date back to the 16th century. It was originally used as a cemetery cross before being reused as a tomb.

The altar stone is in reality a re-used funerary slab, bearing the epitaph of Dame Henriette de Foucaud de Lardimalie, identified as the daughter of the knight of Aydea and Aissé. This re-use illustrates current material recovery practices in religious or memorial monuments in the Middle Ages. The altar-calvary, classified as Historical Monument by decree of 21 October 1926, now belongs to the commune of Nanthiat.

Located on the public square of the village, this monument reflects both a religious dimension, with its cross and altar, and a memorial function, linked to its subsequent use as burial. His iconography, mixing Christian symbols and representation of a strong castle, suggests a link between seigneurial power and local devotion. The accuracy of its location is considered satisfactory, although its exact address varied between the public square and a place called Le Château.

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