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Origin and history

The cross of the Cemetery of Plancoët is a religious monument located in the commune of Plancoët, rue de la Madeleine, in the department of Côtes-d'Armor in Brittany. Dated from the 17th century, it is part of the tradition of the cross in a building, a style common in the 15th and 16th centuries, but examples of which persist in the following century. Its octagonal barrel, embedded in a base, supports a representation of Christ on the cross, with a body shaken and legs slightly folded. The head, disproportionate to the body, and the mute phylacter are striking stylistic features. On the other hand, the west side presents a crowned Virgin with the Child, holding the Child in his left arm, although the details are not readable today. The folds of the Virgin's robe remain visible, however, and the upper part of the cross, in a building block, is adorned with hooks on the rampant.

The cross was inscribed as historical monuments by an order of 28 October 1926, thus recognizing its heritage value. It belongs to the municipality of Plancoët and is distinguished by its openwork style and sculptures, which evoke older models such as the Calvary of Gahard or the cross of Bréal-sous-Monfort, both located in Ille-et-Vilaine. Under carved figures, elements in the shape of capitals form a pilastre with one of the sides of the barrel, adding an architectural dimension to the work. Although its exact location has been discussed (including an approximate address in Pludino), official sources, such as the Mérimée base, clearly place it on Rue de la Madeleine in Plancoët.

The monument is part of a historical context where the cemetery crosses played a central role in the religious and social life of the Breton communities. In the 17th century, Brittany, marked by the Counter-Reform and a revival of popular devotion, saw the proliferation of religious buildings and objects designed to affirm the Catholic faith. These crosses served not only as spiritual landmarks, but also as gathering places for processions and collective prayers. Their iconography, often rich in symbols, aimed to educate the faithful and strengthen local identity. The cross of Plancoët, by its style and inscription, bears witness to this tradition while reflecting the artistic evolutions of its time.

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