Construction of the monument XVe siècle (≈ 1550)
Estimated period of the cross and stone.
15 juin 1926
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 15 juin 1926 (≈ 1926)
Order to protect the monument.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Cross and stone of the dead located in the public square: inscription by decree of 15 June 1926
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any actors.
Origin and history
The cross and stone of the dead of Sagnat is a listed historical monument, located in the Creuse department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Dated from the 15th century, this building consists of a cross backed by a moulded slab, used as a support for coffins before their transport to the church. This type of monument reflects medieval funeral practices, where the deceased were publicly exposed before their burial.
The stone and the cross are located on the public square of Sagnat, precisely at 1 Place de la Mairie. They were listed in the Inventory of Historic Monuments by order of 15 June 1926. This monument now belongs to the commune and bears witness to the importance of collective funeral rituals in the villages of Limousin in the Middle Ages. The GPS location of the site is considered satisfactory a priori, with an accuracy noted 6/10.
In medieval times, the stones of the dead played a central role in funeral ceremonies. They served as a temporary resting place for the deceased, often placed at the entrance of villages or near churches. These monuments also marked a symbolic pause between death and burial, allowing the community to pay a final tribute. In rural areas such as Limousin, these practices strengthened social cohesion around religious rites.
