Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The cross of Léry, located in the cemetery of the commune, dates from the 16th century according to historical sources. It consists of an overflowing table base, a cask with a desk on a square base with chamfered edges, and a flowered cross decorated with medallions in half relief. A threaded cross is engraved on the drum, while two twist holes, one of which is blocked, are visible at its base. Part of the drum is missing, and a date (1771) is engraved on the console, suggesting further restoration or reuse.

Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 26 May 1926, this cross illustrates the funeral art of the Renaissance in Burgundy. Its initial location, in front of the church, in the cemetery, reflects its role in local religious and commemorative practices. The carved medallions, though not described in detail in the sources, probably evoke Christian symbols or holy figures, common at that time.

The location of the cross, in Léry (Côte-d-Or), in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, is part of a territory marked by a rich medieval and reborn religious heritage. Cemetery crosses, like this one, served both as a spiritual landmark and as a social marker, often erected by local donors or brotherhoods. Their presence attests to the importance of death and commemoration in the community life of the time.

The engraved console of the date 1771 could indicate a repair or modification after its creation, possibly related to damage or a change of use. Turillon holes suggest an ancient fixation, perhaps for an element that is now extinct, such as a statue or a plaque. These technical details offer tracks on the transformations suffered by the monument over the centuries.

Property of the commune of Léry, the cross has been protected for nearly a century, highlighting its heritage value. Its present state, partially incomplete, invites a more in-depth study to clarify its iconography and history, including the reasons for the date engraved in the 18th century. Available sources (Monumentum, Mérimée base) provide a documentary base, but some shadow areas persist, such as the identity of sponsors or artisans.

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