Presumed construction XIIIe-XIVe siècles (≈ 1450)
Estimated period of the limestone cross.
8 juillet 2009
MH classification
MH classification 8 juillet 2009 (≈ 2009)
Registration for historical monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
La Croix (Box F 169): inscription by order of 8 July 2009
Origin and history
La Croix de La Vieille Rue is a monumental cross located on the territory of the commune of Sesy, in the department of Saône-et-Loire, in Burgundy-Franche-Comté. Probably from the 13th or 14th centuries, it is distinguished by its unique shape in Burgundy, with a chamfered square base and an octagonal barrel. The eviscerated cross, composed of four segments of a circle with flowered ends, bears a representation of Christ on its western face, accompanied by a circle engraved under it. The whole is carved in limestone, a typical material of the region.
Classified as historical monuments since 8 July 2009, this cross illustrates local medieval religious art. Its originality lies in its architectural structure and its iconography, notably the figure of Christ, which makes it a unicum (one piece) in Burgundy. The classification specifically concerns the cross itself, referenced under the Cadastre F 169. Although its exact location is approximate (5 Rue de Prele), its historic location at La Vieille Rue remains attested.
Available sources, such as Wikipedia and Monumentum, highlight its heritage importance, while noting poor geographical accuracy (level 5/10). No information is provided on its sponsor, specific use, or possible restorations. Its style evokes the cross of medieval crossroads or cemetery, often linked to religious or commemorative functions in the rural communities of the time.