Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

La Croix des Veuves is a Roman Catholic granite monument erected in 1714 in the commune of Ploubazlanec, in the Côtes-d'Armor. Located 60 metres above the sea, it served as an observation point for Iceland's fishermen's women, who were waiting for the schooners to return visible more than ten miles in clear weather. This place symbolizes the anguish and hope of families linked to distant fishing.

The Calvary was listed as historic monuments by order of 22 March 1930, recognizing its heritage and memorial value. His name, "Croix des Veuves", evokes the heavy toll paid by fishing communities, where many sailors did not return from these dangerous expeditions to Iceland between the 18th and 20th centuries.

Ploubazlanec, the emblematic port of cod fishing, was at the heart of a risky maritime economy. The living conditions of the families depended entirely on these campaigns, and the cross was both a geographical landmark and a symbol of resilience. Today, it remains a poignant testimony of this Breton maritime heritage.

External links