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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The lantern of the dead of Culhat is a Romanesque funerary monument located in the department of Puy-de-Dôme, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Dating from the 12th century, this local stone monument is about 4 meters high. It consists of a base, one was hollow topped by a lantern with six openings, and an ovoid cap with a cross. Originally placed in the Culhat cemetery, the lantern was moved in 1921 north of the town, where it is now located.

Classified as historical monuments by order of 12 July 1886, this lantern is a rare example in the region. It was hollow, through an opening at man height, to lift a candle to the lantern. Symbol of light guiding the deceased towards eternal rest, it illustrates medieval funeral practices where light played a central spiritual role. The stone used comes from a local quarry, highlighting the artisanal and community anchor of its construction.

The monument, though modest in its size, bears witness to the importance of funeral rites in the Middle Ages in Auvergne. These lanterns, often associated with cemeteries or churches, served as both a visual landmark and a symbol of the divine presence among the dead. Their scarcity in the region makes the Culhat one all the more remarkable, both in its state of conservation and in its documented history since the 19th century.

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