Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The covered cross of Bassignac-le-Haut is a religious monument located in the village of Bassignac-le-Haut, in Corrèze (New Aquitaine). Probably dating from the 15th or 16th centuries, it is distinguished by its structure protected by a roof, characteristic of the limo crosses. It is located near the church, on the site of the old cemetery, highlighting its funeral and memorial role in the local community.

The cross presents remarkable sculptures: on one side, Christ is surrounded by figures identified as the Virgin and St John (or potentially St Peter and St Michael), while the other side represents a Pietà accompanied by the Madeleine and St John. The square barrel of the cross is decorated with twelve scenes of Christ's life, divided into three registers per face, and twelve prophets occupy the angles. These iconographic elements reflect a late medieval religious artistic tradition.

Ranked a historical monument on December 17, 1923, the cross is associated by a local tradition with the Abbey of Aubazine, although this relationship is not accurately documented. Its architecture and sculptures make it a notable example of the Uradours (covered crosses) of Limousin, typical of the region. The protection of the monument bears witness to its heritage importance, both for its art and for its anchoring in local religious history.

The cross is now owned by the municipality of Bassignac-le-Haut. Its state of conservation and accessibility are not detailed in the sources, but its precise location (1 Rue du Barrio) and classification make it a point of interest for the study of medieval funeral monuments in Corrèze. The bibliographical references, such as Marguerite Charageat's (1924) work, underline his integration into a larger corpus of limo crosses, marked by common stylistic and symbolic characteristics.

External links