Construction of the cross XVe-XVIe siècles (≈ 1650)
Estimated period of its creation.
1982
Removal of the monument
Removal of the monument 1982 (≈ 1982)
Last year she was localizable.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character identified
No names listed in the sources.
Origin and history
The road cross of Alleuze is a historical monument built in the 15th or 16th centuries. Belonging to the commune, it was initially located about 150 metres from the local church. Its state of degradation, including broken terminal florets and a bent barrel, motivated its protection as a Historic Monument. Despite this recognition, it has been missing for more than 25 years, not found since 1982.
The location of this cross was approximate, with an accuracy considered mediocre (level 5 out of 10). The GPS coordinates available placed it near address 36 La Barge in Alleuze, in the department of Cantal (region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). A communal property, it was not associated with practical visiting information, and its current status remains unknown.
Available sources, such as Monumentum, indicate that this cross was representative of religious country monuments, often erected to mark paths or places of assembly. Their gradual disappearance sometimes reflects a lack of maintenance or changes in the spatial organization of villages. These crosses played a symbolic and spiritual role for local communities, serving as landmarks or places of devotion.
No information is available on any sponsors, artisans or specific events related to this cross. Its history is limited to administrative data and its state of degradation before its disappearance. The Merimée database and internal data do not provide additional details on its iconography or architectural peculiarities.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and more particularly the Cantal, was at that time marked by a rural economy and a strong presence of religious monuments. The cross-roads, frequent in rural areas, often served as landmarks for pilgrims or travellers, while embodying local faith. Their decline in the twentieth century was sometimes due to urbanization or the abandonment of traditional practices.
The disappearance of this cross illustrates the challenges of preserving the small rural heritage. Despite its ranking, the means of protection have not been sufficient to ensure its conservation, stressing the importance of local initiatives to safeguard these minor but significant historical testimonies.
