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Origin and history

The cross of path known as the parish cross is an emblematic monument located in Polisy, in the department of the Aube, in the Grand Est region. Dated between the 15th century and the first half of the 16th century, it is on the way to Arrelles. This cross of intersection, 5.42 meters high, consists of a two-part cask: a square base decorated with twisted columns and a polygonal upper part. It is surmounted by a Virgin to the Child and a Christ on the cross, surrounded by plant motifs. An inscription, now erased but known by a 19th century drawing, evokes the hope of the faithful.

The cross was offered by the parish priest of Polisy at the beginning of the sixteenth century, as evidenced by the representation of the kneeling donor, turned towards Christ. The base of this figure bears a coat of arms of death, symbolized by a skull, inspired by an engraving by Albrecht Dürer dated 1505. This macabre theme, typical of the late Middle Ages, reflects the spiritual concerns of the time, including the quest for salvation. An inscription in Gothic letters, along with other texts engraved near the shield, underline the religious and memorial dimension of the work. Ranked a historic monument in 1926, and again fully protected in 2011, this cross belongs today to the municipality of Polisy.

The monument illustrates the devotional and artistic practices of the transition between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Decorative motifs, such as foliage and twisted columns, bear witness to a refined craftsmanship. The representation of the donor, combined with mortality symbols, recalls the importance of pious gifts for the salvation of the soul. Finally, the location of the cross at a crossroads underlines its role in the daily life of the inhabitants, marking a place of prayer and gathering. This type of monument, common in the countryside, also served as a geographical and spiritual landmark for travellers and pilgrims.

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