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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The cemetery cross of Saint-Pey-d'Armens, located in the Gironde department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, is a 16th-century Hosannière cross. It embodies the nascent Renaissance architecture, with a square base decorated with canned columns and carved desks. Its central location in the cemetery makes it a major liturgical element, used during the blessings of the branches.

The structure rises on four steps and presents two floors of niches housing statuettes of saints: St Paul, St Peter, St John and St James at the lower level, while the second floor, partially eroded, shows a bishop and indistinct figures. Léo Drouyn highlights his rare elegance, despite the mutilations suffered by certain sculptures. The modern sommital cross probably replaces the original.

Ranked a historic monument on December 20, 1907, this cross illustrates the 16th century seigneurial patronage. The Hosannière Crosses, which appeared in the 15th century, symbolized parish devotion and highlighted the local patron saint. In Saint-Pey-d.

The monument, owned by the commune, stands in Bourg, near the church. Its total height is about 4 meters. Drouyn's descriptions and Mérimée data confirm its heritage importance, while noting the wear and tear of carved details, typical of works exposed to the weather.

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