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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The cross of the cemetery of Saint-Erblon is a granite calvary dating from the 16th century, located in the cemetery west of the village of Saint-Erblon, in Ille-et-Vilaine. This monument, typical of Breton Christian architecture, is distinguished by its stem and arms decorated with vegetal motifs, as well as by a Christ on a cross on one of its faces, while the other side carries a shield. His style, including the lowly, broken arch arch arches sheltering the head of Christ and the hooked pinnacles, evokes the late Gothic influences still present at that time.

The cross was listed as historic monuments on February 27, 1946, recognizing its heritage value. According to historical descriptions, such as that of Paul Banéat at the beginning of the 20th century, his decoration was once more visible, with fleurons and sculptures today largely eroded. Only Christ on the cross remains clearly identifiable. This type of cross, often erected in Breton cemeteries, served as both a religious symbol and a landmark for processions or community gatherings.

Owned by the municipality of Saint-Erblon, the cross is located precisely at 14 Rue du Champ Mulon, although its GPS location is considered to be of poor accuracy (level 5/10). Available sources, including Wikipedia and Monumentum, highlight its importance as a testimony to the Breton funeral art of the Renaissance, marked by the transition between Gothic and early influences of the French Renaissance. Its present state, although altered, still allows to appreciate the granite size techniques and the decorative motifs characteristic of the era.

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