Construction of the cross 1611 (≈ 1611)
Date engraved on the monument.
7 janvier 1926
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 7 janvier 1926 (≈ 1926)
Registration by official order.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Cross dated 1611 in front of the church: inscription by decree of 7 January 1926
Origin and history
The cross at Saint-Just-en-Bas is an emblematic monument of the first quarter of the seventeenth century, more precisely dated 1611. It is located in front of the church of the village, in the Loire department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This type of cross, typical of the rural villages of the time, often served as a religious and community landmark, marking the sacred space around places of worship.
Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 7 January 1926, this cross belongs today to the commune of Saint-Just-en-Bas. Its listing in the Historical Monuments Inventory demonstrates its heritage importance and local historic value. The crosses of this period were generally erected for religious, commemorative or symbolic reasons, reflecting the piety and traditions of the rural communities of the Old Regime.
The location of the cross in front of the church suggests its central role in the spiritual and social life of the village. At that time, such monuments also served as gathering points for religious ceremonies, processions or public announcements. Their presence strengthened the collective identity and cohesion of the inhabitants around shared values, often linked to the Christian faith and local practices.
