Croix de chemin en pierre de Lambader
MonumentHidden Treasure
Croix de chemin en pierre de Lambader, located in Plougourvest (Département 29), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Plougourvest, Département 29, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.5744, -4.0459
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00090247
Erected in the 16th century along the paths of Plougourvest, this Lambader stone cross embodies the spiritual soul of rural Brittany: a finely crafted sculpture, a blend of kersanton and granite, listed as a Historic Monument since 1910.
History
At the bend in a hedged path in Plougourvest, in the heart of the Léon region, the Lambader cross stands out like an age-old landmark planted in the Breton soil. Far from the cathedrals and manor houses of prestige, this discreet monument nevertheless embodies one of the most accomplished forms of popular religious art that Brittany has produced: that of the wayside crosses, erected to bless travellers, ward off evil spirits and mark the landscape with the seal of the Christian faith. What sets this cross apart from the countless rural crosses and calvaries scattered around Finistère is the quality of the carving. The craftsmen of Leon in the 16th century mastered the art of working local granite with rare virtuosity, capable of producing motifs of a finesse that is almost paradoxical given the hardness of the material. The carefully carved shaft and the crosspiece decorated with figures of Christ and, probably, a Virgin in pietà or a patron saint, bear witness to the craftsmanship handed down from generation to generation in the workshops of the Landivisiau region. To visit the Lambader cross is to take a timeless break in a landscape where granite is everywhere: moss-covered embankments, oak trees twisted by the westerly wind, stony paths. The monument does not seek to impress by its size, but by the density of meaning it concentrates in a few square metres. Each sculpted relief recounts a popular theology, a daily devotion, a silent pact between the inhabitants and their land. The cross was listed as a Historic Monument in 1910, preserving it from the ravages of time and the hazards of modern rural life. It is part of an exceptional network of Breton crosses and calvaries, making Finistère one of Europe's richest areas for open-air statuary.
Architecture
The Lambader cross is representative of the 16th century style of Leonardo roadside crosses, characterised by a concern for sculptural composition and meticulous finishing. It probably consists of a multi-level plinth, a stable base anchored in the Breton soil, a quadrangular or octagonal shaft tapering slightly towards the top, and a cross decorated with figures in the round or in high relief. On the main face of the crosspiece, Christ on the Cross is depicted with the pathetic realism characteristic of Breton late Gothic art, while the opposite face usually features the Virgin and Child or a Deposition scene. The material used is Léon granite, a stone that is ubiquitous in this part of Finistère, with a bluish-grey hue and tight grains that allow for precise sculpting. This kersanton granite is remarkably resistant to the elements, which explains why the relief, despite five centuries of exposure to the winds and rains of the Atlantic, is still quite legible. The ashen patina and golden lichens that now colonise the surface of the stone add a chromatic depth to the cross that specialists and photographers particularly appreciate. The overall height is probably no more than four or five metres, a common dimension for this type of monument, but sufficient to make it a visible signpost from the surrounding roads. The relative sobriety of its architecture, a far cry from the monumental calvaries of Pleyben or Guimiliau, gives it an intimate, contemplative character that is particularly moving.
Related Figures
Artisans sculpteurs léonards anonymes du XVIe siècle, héritiers des ateliers de LandivisiauSeigneurs de Lambader, commanditaires probables de la croix au XVIe siècleMembres de la confrérie de dévotion mariale de Plougourvest, gardiens traditionnels du monumentÉrudits de la Société archéologique du Finistère (XIXe-début XXe siècle), promoteurs du classementInspecteurs des Monuments Historiques ayant instruit le dossier de classement de 1910
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Croix de chemin en pierre de Lambader located?
Croix de chemin en pierre de Lambader is located in Plougourvest, Département 29 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Croix de chemin en pierre de Lambader built?
Croix de chemin en pierre de Lambader dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Croix de chemin en pierre de Lambader open to visitors?
Croix de chemin en pierre de Lambader is currently closed to visitors.
