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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The road cross of Tourzel-Ronzières, classified as a Historical Monument, dates back to the late 14th or early 15th century. It is distinguished by its cubic base supporting a barrel surmounted by a cross with three hexagonal branches, decorated with mouldings. A stylized Christ, inscribed in a circle, dominates one of the faces, while a quadrlob carved in hollow decorates the other. Its current location, on the edge of departmental road 23, suggests an original function as a religious landmark or symbol for travellers and the local community.

The work is attributed by hypothesis to the family of Tourzel d'Allègre, one of the most prestigious lines of the ancient Auvergne. This family, influential in the region, could have commissioned its realization for devotional or commemorative purposes. The monument, now owned by the commune, was entered in the inventory of Historic Monuments by order of 13 February 1979, thus recognizing its heritage and artistic value.

The location of the cross, although documented (administrative address at Tourzel-Ronzières, Puy-de-Dôme), remains imprecise according to available sources, with a note of 5/10 for the reliability of the coordinates. This geographical uncertainty contrasts with the richness of preserved architectural details, such as the mouldings of the ends or the duality of carved motifs (Christ and quadrilobe), testimonies of medieval craftsmanship auvergnat.

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