Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Cross of Road to the effigy of Notre-Dame-de-Pitié, located in Andelat (Cantal), dates from the 16th century. This stone monument is distinguished by its diamond tip ends and its sculptures on two sides: to the south, a Pietà representing the Virgin in pleated dress holding Christ dead in oblique position; to the north, a crucified Christ whose head has disappeared. His artistic style reflects the local religious traditions of the time, mixing symbolism and popular devotion.

Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 18 May 1971, this cross belongs to the municipality of Andelat. Its location, noted as satisfactory a priori (level 6/10), makes it a rare testimony of the late medieval road crosses in Auvergne. The sculptural details, such as the veil of the Virgin or the vertical folds of her dress, illustrate the know-how of Renaissance artisans in this rural region.

The work is part of a context where the road crosses served as spiritual landmarks and places of prayer for travellers or processions. Their iconography, often centred on the Passion of Christ or the Virgin, aimed to build the faithful. The partial disappearance of the crucified Christ (missing head) suggests degradations related to time or undocumented historical events in available sources.

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