Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Three Crosses are a set of three road crosses erected in the municipality of Locoal-Mendon, Morbihan (British). They are located on the road linking the village of Mendon to the so-called place of Moustoir, near Mané-Hello, to a crossroads. Two of the crosses are located before the crossroads, partially hidden by vegetation, while the third, more visible, sits directly on the crossroads. These monuments are granite monolithic crosses, typical of Breton Christian art.

The first cross is a patty cross, sober and without ornament. The second, more recent, is a clovered cross representing Christ. The third, mounted on a pedestal, bears a naive sculpture of Christ. These stylistic differences suggest distinct, though undated, creative periods. Their alignment along a historic road axis underlines their role as spiritual and geographical landmarks for travellers and premises.

The Three Crosses were listed as historic monuments on 20 March 1935 (or 29 March 1935 according to sources), recognizing their heritage value. They are sometimes confused with another nearby site, the cross of the Moustoir, a set of lect的hs partially Christianized. A 2011 municipal publication reports the recent disappearance of one of the classified steles, without specifying whether it is one of the Three Crosses or a nearby monument. This ambiguity reflects the challenges of preserving small rural heritage.

Their exact location is indicated as chemin des Trois-Croix or 148 Place Dit le Moustoir, with geographical accuracy deemed mediocre (note 5/10). These crosses, although discreet, bear witness to the Christianization of Breton landscapes and popular religious art, mixing pagan and Christian symbols. Their protection aims to preserve this material memory of local cultural practices.

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