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Origin and history

La Croix de Diens, located in the Dienna cemetery, is a historical monument built in the 16th or 17th century. It is distinguished by its structure, where the upper part is fixed to the barrel by a metal circle, and its ends adorned with volutes. This type of cross, typical of cemeteries of that time, served both as a religious symbol and a landmark for burials.

On the first face of the cross, a representation of Christ on the cross dominates the composition, framed by two characters identified as Saint John and the Virgin, in a lamentation posture. The second face presents a Virgin in the center, surrounded by two small characters, probably local saints like St.Cirgue and St.Julitte. These representations illustrate the importance of Marian devotion and patron saintship in the religious life of the rural communities of Auvergne.

Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 24 June 1983, the Cross of Diens belongs to the commune. Its location in the cemetery, as well as its iconography, reflect funeral practices and popular piety of the 16th and 17th centuries in Auvergne. The accuracy of its location is considered satisfactory, and it remains an architectural and artistic testimony of this period.

Available sources, including Monumentum, highlight its role both artistic and memorial. Although little is known about its sponsors or its precise history, the cross embodies rural religious heritage, often linked to local cults and the protection of the deceased. Its state of conservation and its location in a sacred space are a subject of study for the history of art and mentalities.

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