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Origin and history

Le Calvaire de Bonigeard is a monumental sculpture located in the village of Bonigeard, in the commune of Meslan, in the Morbihan department in Brittany. Dated mainly from the 16th century, with elements dating back to the 15th century, it is located at a road junction, close to the chapel Saint-Catherine, built in the 17th century. This calvary is a typical example of Breton religious art, marked by carved representations of biblical scenes such as the Portion of the Cross, the Tombing and the Resurrection of Christ.

Originally, the calvary had thirteen or fourteen characters, but it suffered major damage, especially during the French Revolution and due to accidents involving heavy vehicles. In 1971, some fragments were restored. Today, only the statue of Christ, with his hands tied to a torture stake, remains intact. Other elements, often beheaded or mutilated, include busts and heads reused as decorations in the parish church of Meslan. The structure of the calvary rests on three granite barrels, whose promenences evoke the bubons of the plague, a symbolic detail frequent in the art of the era.

The Bonigeard Calvary was listed as historical monuments on 6 June 1933. Its superstructure, composed of three barrels, carries the crosses in tau of the larrons, while the central drum is adorned with caps supported by angels. Despite the losses, the remaining fragments, such as the Virgin, a larron, or the top of Christ, bear witness to the original iconographic richness. These elements, mounted in situ around 1970, offer an overview of the artistic and religious importance of this monument in the Breton heritage.

Owned by the municipality of Meslan, the Calvary is located at approximately 5345 Bonigeard, in a rural environment marked by history. Its present state, though fragmentary, makes it a valuable testimony of the Breton sculptural traditions and historical upheavals that the region experienced, especially during the Revolution. The accuracy of its location is estimated at 5/10, reflecting uncertainties related to its exact location and conservation status.

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