Construction of the cross XIIIe siècle (≈ 1350)
Estimated period of completion of the calvary.
4 décembre 1951
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 4 décembre 1951 (≈ 1951)
Official protection by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Stone road cross (cad. C-297): classification by decree of 4 December 1951
Key figures
Information non disponible - No name cited
The source text does not mention any characters.
Origin and history
The stone cross of the hamlet of Masselèbre, listed as a Historic Monument in 1951, is a 13th century calvary located in Chaumont-le-Bourg. This monument is distinguished by its octagonal structure, with a tree and a crusillon of the same section, resting on a square-based spherical barrel decorated with prismatic mouldings. The ends of the arms and the top of the cross are decorated with small cabbages carved in relief, adding an artistic dimension to the ensemble.
On the west side, the cross carries a representation of Christ on the cross, while the face is present a Virgin to the Child, surmounted by a character head down holding a crown. At the feet of these figures, four draped characters are carved: one, bearing a cross, is identified as a bishop, while the others evoke holy women. These iconographic elements suggest a strong religious symbol, typical of medieval calvaries.
The location of the cross, although documented (approximate address to Marsac-en-Livradois or Chaumont-le-Bourg), remains imprecise according to available sources, with cartographic accuracy noted as "passible" (5/10). The monument belongs to the municipality and its current state or conditions of visit are not detailed in the archives consulted.
This type of road cross, common in Auvergne in the Middle Ages, often served as a spiritual landmark or a place of devotion for travelers and local inhabitants. Medieval calvaries played a central role in the religious life of rural communities, marking places of prayer or symbolic crossroads. Their presence reflected the importance of the Christian faith in the social and territorial organization of the time.
The protection of this monument by a classification order in 1951 underlines its heritage value, both for its seniority and for the quality of its sculptures. Architectural details, such as the octagonal section or mouldings, bear witness to remarkable artisanal know-how for the thirteenth century, when Romanesque art gradually gave way to Gothic in Auvergne.
No information is available about the sponsors or artisans who made this cross, or about any restorations after its creation. Sources are limited to physical descriptions and listing, without details of its ritual use or event history.
