Construction of the cross 3e quart XVIIIe siècle (≈ 1862)
Estimated period of construction of the monument.
28 juillet 1937
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 28 juillet 1937 (≈ 1937)
Official registration by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Cemetery Cross (Grande): Registration by Order of 28 July 1937
Origin and history
The large cemetery cross of Ettendorf is a historical monument located in the department of Bas-Rhin, in the Grand East region. Dating from the 3rd quarter of the 18th century, it is precisely Rue Principale, in the heart of the village of Ettendorf. This type of cross, typical of Alsatian rural areas, was often used as a spiritual and community landmark, marking the entrance to cemeteries or gathering places.
Ranked among historical monuments since 1937, this cross reflects the local religious architecture of its time. The cemetery crosses played a central role in village life, symbolizing the Christian faith while serving as a meeting point for ceremonies and processions. Their presence also demonstrated the importance of religion in the social and cultural organization of Alsatian rural communities in the 18th century.
The protection of this monument by the French authorities in 1937 underlines its heritage value. The available data, notably via the Merimée and Monumentum databases, confirm its status as communal property. Today, it remains a material testimony of the religious and architectural history of the region, accessible to the public in its original location.
