Construction of the cross 4e quart XVe siècle (≈ 1587)
Marble design, late Gothic style.
8 juillet 1912
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 8 juillet 1912 (≈ 1912)
Official protection order.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Cemetery Cross, marble, from the late 15th century, in the disused cemetery Cad. AB 208): by order of 8 July 1912
Key figures
Donateur anonyme - Presumed Benefactor
Represented offering a palm to the Virgin.
Vierge Marie - Central figure of sculpture
Represented with the Child and Crucifixion.
Saint Jean - Depositary represented
Present alongside Christ on the cross.
Origin and history
The Cebazan Cemetery Cross is a marble sculptural work dating back to the last quarter of the 15th century, located in the enclosure of a cemetery today disused. This funerary monument consists of a masonry base topped by a block of granite, itself supporting an octagonal granite pillar. The cross, of octagonal shape, has a head and arms ending in diamond tips framed by vegetal volutes. This type of ornamentation, characteristic of the end of the Middle Ages, emphasizes the care given to its realization and its symbolic role in the sacred space of the cemetery.
On one of its sides, the cross represents a Crucifixion scene, dominated by the INRI inscription engraved at the top. Christ on the cross is flanked by the Virgin, hands joined in prayer to his right, and Saint John, draped to the Roman, to his left. This composition follows medieval iconographic canons, where sacred figures are arranged according to a strict visual hierarchy. The opposite side of the cross offers a representation of the Virgin to the Child, accompanied by a donor holding a palm, symbol of his devotion or offering. This donor, although unidentified, illustrates the link between the local community and this monument, probably financed by wealthy families or religious brotherhoods.
Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 8 July 1912, this cross bears witness to the importance of cemeteries as places of collective memory at the end of the 15th century. At that time, in Languedoc, cemeteries were often located in the heart of villages and served as a framework for religious and social practices, such as processions or prayers for the deceased. The presence of a donor on the cross also suggests a system of patronage where local elites contributed to the beautification of sacred spaces, thereby strengthening their status within the community.
Today, the cross of Cebazan is in an abandoned cemetery, reflecting the transformations of funeral practices and urban planning since the Middle Ages. Its state of conservation and current location, noted as "passable" in terms of accuracy (note 5/10), raise questions about its protection and heritage valuation. Owned by the municipality, this monument remains a valuable vestige of religious art and local history, although its access and visibility may be limited.
