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Heritage classified

Origin and history

La Croix de la Madeleine is a monumental cross erected in Saint-Jean-le-Vieux, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. It rests on a pyramidal base composed of four steps, topped by a hollow barrel of reinforced concrete. Two rudimentary heads support the arms of the cross, themselves decorated with semispherical motifs. On one side, one Christ barely discernable is engraved, while the other represents a Virgin with the Child holding a branch.

Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 1 September 1986, this cross belongs to the public domain of the commune. Its sober style and modest decorative elements reflect a simple aesthetic, typical of local crosses. The precise location, although documented, remains approximate according to available sources, with an accuracy considered poor (note 5/10).

La Croix de la Madeleine illustrates the rural religious heritage of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Its inscription in the title of Historic Monuments underlines its cultural and symbolic importance for the local community. The representations of the Virgin and Christ, although stylized, bear witness to popular devotion and local craftsmanship, without any artist or sponsor being explicitly mentioned in the sources.

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