Construction of crosses XVe siècle (≈ 1550)
Estimated period of their construction.
11 juillet 1979
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 11 juillet 1979 (≈ 1979)
Official protection order for both crosses.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Stone cross (two) , of the cemetery of Saint-Etienne-de-Viauresque (Box E 434) : classification by decree of 11 July 1979
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character identified
Sources do not mention sponsors or artisans.
Origin and history
The two stone crosses of Ségur are an emblematic monument located in the municipality of Ségur, Aveyron, in the Occitanie region. Dated from the 15th century, they are distinguished by their structure in two parts: a 71 cm high cross representing Christ and the Virgin with the Child, and a 214 cm pyramid fixed on a stone base. These elements, classified as historic monuments in 1979, are located in the cemetery of Saint-Étienne-de-Viauresque.
The main cross has carved motifs, including a four-sheet frame of Christ on one side and the Virgin with the Child under one dais, surrounded by the moon and the sun, on the other. The second part, an imposing pyramid, completes this medieval funerary ensemble. These crosses, owned by the commune, illustrate the religious and commemorative art of the period, typical of the rural regions of Rouergue.
The 1979 classification preserved this heritage, demonstrating the importance of Christian symbols in local communities in the 15th century. Their precise location, near the church of Saint-Étienne-de-Viauresque, reinforces their link with the religious and architectural history of Ségur. Available sources, such as the Merimée and Monumentum base, confirm their historical and artistic value.
In the 15th century, the cemetery crosses played a central role in the life of Occitan villages. They marked burial places, served as spiritual landmarks and recalled the presence of faith in everyday life. In the Rouergue, these monuments also reflected the social organization around the parish, where the Church structured collective practices and funeral rites.
The lack of details about the sponsors or artisans of these crosses limits the knowledge of their creative context. However, their style and iconography suggest a local achievement, probably linked to a religious community or influential family of Ségur. Their preservation until today underlines their resistance to the hazards of time and their anchoring in the heritage of Aveyron.
The approximate location, noted with mediocre accuracy (level 5/10), indicates that the crosses are located near Saint-Étienne, in the commune of Ségur. Their official address, according to the Mérimée base, is associated with the cemetery of Saint-Étienne-de-Viauresque, confirming their memorial function and their integration into the historical landscape of the village.
