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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The cemetery cross of Milon-la-Chapelle, located in the Yvelines department in Île-de-France, is an emblematic monument whose base dates back to the thirteenth century, while the cross itself dates back to the fourteenth century. It was classified as a historic monument on February 24, 1969, recognizing its heritage value. Its architectural features include serrated ends and a rosette at the junction of the arms, decorated with geometric motifs.

The base, older than the cross, could come from reuse (reuse), and some hypotheses suggest a Breton origin for the whole. The cross, typical of medieval funeral monuments, illustrates Christian art of the time. It is now owned by the municipality of Milon-la-Chapelle and remains accessible in its original location, near the chapel.

This type of cemetery cross played a central role in the religious and social life of medieval communities. They marked burial places and served as a spiritual landmark for the faithful. In Île-de-France, as in other regions, these monuments also reflected the know-how of local artisans, often linked to the corporations of stone tailors or sculptors. Their preservation makes it possible today to study funeral and artistic practices of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.

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