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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The cemetery cross of Écretteville-sur-Mer is a medieval monument located in the village cemetery in Normandy. Although its stone structure dates back to the 13th century, its upper wrought iron section and sculptures (saint John, Saint Hubert, Saint Barbe and a Virgin of Pain) date back to 1522, when it was commissioned by Regnault Burel, then vicar of the place. This mix of styles reflects its architectural evolution over centuries.

Ranked a historic monument since July 28, 1914, the cross illustrates the importance of religious symbols in medieval and reborn funeral spaces. Its location in the cemetery raises its commemorative and spiritual role for the local community. The gilding statues, typical of popular Norman devotion, suggest a pedagogical and protective function, inviting the faithful to prayer.

The available sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum, Mérimée base) confirm its membership in the municipality and its heritage protection. Its approximate address, 3 Rue de la Mer, and its Insee code (76226) place it precisely in the Seine-Maritime department, in the Normandy region. The accuracy of its location is assessed as "very satisfactory" (note 8/10), facilitating its access to visitors.

Regnault Burel's command of the cross in 1522 coincided with a period of artistic and religious renewal in Normandy, marked by the influence of the Renaissance. The materials used (stone for the base, wrought iron for the top) testify to the techniques available at the time, while the choice of the saints represented (Hubert, patron of hunters; Barbe, a fire-protective) reveals local concerns related to the region's risks and economic activities.

Today, the cross remains a remarkable example of Norman funerary heritage, combining medieval heritage and reborn additions. Its ranking among historical monuments highlights its artistic, historical and memorial value for Écretteville-sur-Mer and its inhabitants.

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