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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Cross of the chapel of Goux-les-Usiers is a monumental limestone cross erected in the 16th century (although some sources evoke a possible origin in the 15th century). It is located in the centre of the village, close to Notre-Dame-de-Pitié Chapel. Its base contains an erroneous inscription mentioning the year 1118, probably due to a misinterpretation of the original engravings. The cross rests on a drum and a cross, themselves placed on a four-degree walk, with a commemorative plaque indicating a blessing in 1847 for a "mission memory".

The cross was listed as historic monuments on July 7, 1989, recognizing its heritage value. It represents Christ on the Cross, typical of Christian iconography of the time. The plaque on the pedestal also mentions a 300-day indulgence, linked to local religious practices. Although the date of 1118 is clearly incorrect, it reflects historical reinterpretations of certain monuments over the centuries.

This type of cross, frequent in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, often served as a spiritual or commemorative landmark for rural communities. In Goux-les-Usiers, it is part of a landscape marked by the influence of the Catholic Church, especially through religious missions such as the one mentioned in 1847. The cross, owned by the commune, remains a symbol of local religious and architectural heritage, accessible to the public in the centre of the village.

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