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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The cemetery cross of Saint-Martin-le-Vieil is a monumental stone cross dating from the 16th century. It is distinguished by its flared base and high base, also in stone. An ornamentation in relief decorates the centre of the cross, which also includes an inscription not specified in the sources. This type of monument, typical of medieval and reborn cemeteries, served both as a religious landmark and as a protection symbol for the deceased.

La croix is located in the commune of Saint-Martin-le-Vieil, in the department of l-Aude, in the region of Occitanie. It was registered as historic monuments by order of 8 October 1962, thereby recognizing its heritage value. The exact location, near the site called Au Portail, is approximate according to the available data, with a cartographic accuracy considered fair (level 5/10). The property of the cross belongs to the commune.

In the 16th century, Occitanie, then integrated into the Kingdom of France under the name of Languedoc, was marked by a rural life organized around parishes and cemeteries, often located near churches. Cemetery crosses played a central role in funeral practices and religious processes, reflecting collective piety and the importance attached to commemorating the dead. These monuments, often erected by village communities or local donors, also symbolized the boundary between the sacred and the profane.

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