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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Menhir de Malves-en-Minervois is a megalithic monument located in the department of Aude, Occitanie region. This carcassian sandstone monolith, of local origin, is 5 meters above the ground, with a width of 1.45 m and a thickness of 0.45 m. It is estimated to weigh about 75 tons and would be buried at a height of 4 meters. Its position near the streams of La Clamoux and Seraut makes it visible from afar, marking the landscape.

Ranked as a historical monument since 16 April 1921, this menhir bears witness to the importance of megalithic constructions in the region. According to a local legend, in the eighth century, a Saracen army advancing towards Carcassonne would have diverted its route after interpreting the menhir as a divine manifestation prohibiting them from progressing. This legend is associated with the Battle of Orbiel (793), opposing Count Guillaume de Gellone to the army of the Emir of Cordoba Hicham I.

Menhir is also linked to a 12th century Arab tradition, evoking a column surmounted by a statue that forced the Saracens to turn back near Narbonne. These accounts illustrate the collective memory of the conflicts between Christians and Muslims in southern France. The monument, studied by Germain Sicard in 1929, remains a symbol of the Audian megalithic heritage.

Today, the menhir is located at the approximate address L'Olivette, 11600 Malves-en-Minervois, in a preserved rural environment. Its state of conservation and visibility make it a point of interest for history and archaeology enthusiasts. Available sources, such as Wikipedia and Monumentum, confirm its status as a protected monument and its role in the local cultural landscape.

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