Croix du 16e siècle
MonumentHidden Treasure
Croix du 16e siècle, located in Treffléan (Département 56), 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
- Treffléan, Département 56, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.6706, -2.6493
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00091760
In the heart of Morbihan, this 16th-century granite calvary cross, decorated with a coat of arms of the Callac family and a sculpted descent from the cross, is a masterpiece of Breton statuary.
History
Standing not far from the chapel of Sainte-Julitte de Bizolle, in the commune of Treffléan in Morbihan, this 16th-century calvary cross eloquently embodies popular devotion and the skills of Renaissance Breton stonemasons. Discreet at first glance, it reveals to the attentive observer a wealth of iconography and sculpture that is rare for a monument of this nature. What makes this cross truly singular is the density of its iconographic programme condensed onto a stone shaft. On one side, the traditional Christ scene - Christ on the Cross flanked by the Virgin Mary and Saint John - is accompanied, on the opposite side, by a Descent from the Cross that is remarkably expressive for its time. The presence of a coat of arms bearing the arms of the Callac family adds a noble and memorial dimension to this monument to faith, testifying to local aristocratic patronage at the heart of 16th-century Brittany. A visit to this cross is a natural complement to a visit to the chapel of Sainte-Julitte de Bizolle, which provides a coherent architectural setting and reinforces the atmosphere of rural piety characteristic of parish enclosures and places of worship in Morbihan. The site's rural setting invites you to take a contemplative break, far from the hustle and bustle of tourism, in a gently undulating bocage landscape. Protected as a Historic Monument since 1929, this cross is a precious example of Breton religious sculpture from the Renaissance, at a time when Brittany, newly attached to the Kingdom of France, was keeping its own artistic tradition alive. Its presence in an unspoilt rural setting enhances visitors' appreciation of sacred art and local heritage.
Architecture
The calvary cross at Bizolle is made entirely of granite, a material favoured by Breton builders for its resistance to the region's harsh climate and its noble appearance. Its composition follows a tripartite pattern typical of Breton calvaries of the Renaissance: a pedestal forming an altar at the base, a slender shaft in the middle and a sculpted painting at the top. The pedestal, designed in the shape of an altar, evokes the liturgical function of the cross in open-air ceremonies, enabling the celebration of rural masses or processions. The cylindrical shaft is crowned by a twisted knot - a decorative motif of Mannerist influence - which marks the transition to the upper sculptural element. This ornamental detail testifies to a real technical mastery and an aesthetic sensitivity that goes beyond simple craftsmanship. The most remarkable feature is the rectangular carved register that caps the shaft. The main face shows the Crucifixion, with Christ on the cross flanked by the Virgin Mary and Saint John, a classic iconographic composition, but here treated with an expressiveness typical of Breton art. The opposite side shows the Descent from the Cross, a rarer and more complex scene on this type of monument, revealing the artistic ambitions of the commissioner. At the feet of Christ, the coat of arms of the Callac family gives the whole its heraldic and memorial dimension.
Related Figures
Famille de Callac — noble famille morbihannaise commanditaire de la croix, dont les armoiries ornent le pied du ChristSainte Julitte — martyre paléochrétienne dont la chapelle voisine porte le vocable, figure centrale de la dévotion localeArtisan tailleur de pierre breton anonyme du XVIe siècle — sculpteur présumé du calvaire et de son programme iconographique
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Croix du 16e siècle located?
Croix du 16e siècle is located in Treffléan, Département 56 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Croix du 16e siècle built?
Croix du 16e siècle dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Croix du 16e siècle open to visitors?
Croix du 16e siècle is currently closed to visitors.