Croix du 17e siècle
MonumentHidden Treasure
Croix du 17e siècle, located in Plumergat (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
- Plumergat, Département 56, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.7437, -2.9158
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00091558
A stone sentinel that has stood on the roads of Brittany since the 17th century, this pedimented cross from Plumergat reveals a sculpted Virgin Mary of rare elegance on the reverse, supported by a cylindrical shaft and a solemn double step.
History
In the heart of Morbihan, on the winding roads that link the hamlets of Plumergat, stands one of the roadside crosses that have dotted the Breton landscape for centuries. Listed as a historic monument since 1935, this seventeenth-century cross is more than just a granite landmark: it's a sculptural testimony to an ardent popular faith and a craftsmanship that deserves the full attention of the attentive traveller. What makes this cross truly unique is the duality of its iconographic composition. On the main face, a pediment frames the figure of Christ crucified, in the tradition of Breton Calvaries. But it's the reverse that holds the surprise: a finely sculpted Virgin is depicted, transforming this modest monument into a work of double interpretation, designed to accompany the faithful in both directions as they walk. This double-sided layout is typical of the most elaborate crosses in Morbihan from the Grand Siècle. The whole structure rests on a beautifully simple cylindrical shaft, which in turn rests on a base with a double step. This vertical architecture gives the cross a strong presence in the landscape, visible from afar, inviting passers-by to slow down and look up. The careful geometry of the pedestal evokes the classical influences that were penetrating Brittany at the time, while retaining the rusticity of local craftsmanship. To visit this cross is to immerse yourself in deep, rural Brittany, the land of pardons and sunken lanes. The monument is accessible on foot, and its discovery is a natural part of a walk through the bocage of inland Morbihan. If you're a keen photographer, the low-angled morning or evening light will give you a striking view of the sculpted reliefs on the pediment and the Virgin's back. A short but memorable stop for anyone interested in rural religious heritage.
Architecture
The Plumergat cross is an elegant illustration of the architectural vocabulary of Breton wayside crosses from the classical period. The ensemble comprises three superimposed elements whose formal coherence bears witness to a carefully thought-out project: a double emarchement forming the base, a cylindrical shaft of harmonious proportion, and the summit cross adorned with its characteristic pediment. The pediment that crowns the cross is the most original feature of the monument. Borrowing its vocabulary from the learned architecture of the late Renaissance and early Baroque, it frames the sculpted figure of Christ with a solemnity that contrasts with the rusticity of the rural setting. The reverse of the cross, adorned with a Virgin in relief, bears witness to the meticulous iconography and technical mastery of the local stonemason. The gentle treatment of the drapery and the hieratic frontality of the Marian figure bring this sculpture closer to the workshops active in Morbihan in the 17th century, which produced calvaries and statues for the many parishes in the region. The cylindrical shaft, sober and slender, forms the transition between the base and the head of the cross. This choice of cylinder, which is simpler than the square or polygonal shafts so common in the medieval period, reflects the influence of the classical aesthetic that was spreading from the major towns to the Breton countryside. The whole structure was probably carved from local grey granite, a favourite material of Morbihan craftsmen, whose resistance to the elements goes a long way to explaining the monument's excellent state of preservation after four centuries of exposure to the elements.
Related Figures
Yves Nicolazic — paysan breton d'Auray qui, en 1625, rapporta les apparitions de la Vierge à Sainte-Anne, impulsant un renouveau marial dans tout le Morbihan contemporain de la croixSaint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort — missionnaire qui parcourut la Bretagne au tournant des XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, incarnant la ferveur catholique qui présida à l'érection de nombreuses croix ruralesArtisans tailleurs de pierre morbihannais — maîtres anonymes des ateliers locaux qui sculptèrent, au XVIIe siècle, calvaires, croix et fontaines dont cette œuvre est l'un des exemples les plus soignés
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Croix du 17e siècle located?
Croix du 17e siècle is located in Plumergat, Département 56 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Croix du 17e siècle built?
Croix du 17e siècle dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Croix du 17e siècle open to visitors?
Croix du 17e siècle is currently closed to visitors.