Historical Monument 12 décembre 1986 (≈ 1986)
Registration by order for protection.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Cross-sectional cross-sectional cross-section not cadastralized; public domain): registration by order of 12 December 1986
Origin and history
The cross of intersection of Aincille is located at a historical crossroads borrowed by pilgrims going to Santiago de Compostela. This monument, now classified, would have played a role in structuring the village around an old hospital dedicated to travellers. Its initial location was changed, the cross being moved to the other side of the path where it was originally located. It rests on a circular base with three steps, surmounted by a monolithic pillar with soft corners.
The cross itself, carved in a single block of stone, presents a saving Christ on its front face, framed by three stars with six branches. On the back, a figure with his arms apart, with a rudimentary style, adds a mysterious dimension to the building. The branches of the cross end in torus shapes, while the slightly protruding edges delimit the sculptures, emphasizing their sacred and symbolic character.
Classified as a Historical Monument by order of 12 December 1986, this cross belongs to the public domain of the municipality of Aincille. Its state of conservation and its approximate location (noted 5/10 precisely) make it a fragile but precious testimony of the religious traditions and medieval pilgrimage networks in Aquitaine. No information is available on its sponsor or exact date of construction.
The historical context of Aincille, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, is marked by its role as a stage on the jacquarian routes. Crosses at crossroads served as spiritual landmarks and gathering points for travellers, while symbolizing divine protection on often perilous paths. These monuments also reflected the community organization around hospitals and places of worship, which were essential for welcoming and treating pilgrims.
The absence of precise cadastration and its approximate address (Berro route or communal routes 2 and 5) make it difficult to find an exact location. However, its listing as Historic Monuments guarantees its preservation, although details of its current use or accessibility are not documented in available sources.
