Historic Cross Destroyed on Medieval Bridge in Le Monastère

Case information
Incident date
Country
France
Place
Le Monastère
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Vandalism (all)
  • Vandalism of Public Christian Symbol
Place of Incident
  • Public Christian Symbol (outside place of worship)
Bias Indicators
  • Lack of Other Motive
  • Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
  • Victim/Witness Perception
Reported to Police
  • Unknown
Response of Local Authorities
  • Unknown
Image credit: christianophobie.fr

A centuries-old Christian cross atop a bridge in Le Monastère, France, was broken by an unidentified vandal.

In 2024, a vandal broke the lanceolate cross that had stood atop the humpback bridge between the church and town hall in Le Monastère, a commune near Rodez in the Aveyron department of France. The bridge dates to the second quarter of the 14th century, and the cross had been in place since the 16th century.

The destruction was reported by a local resident via social media. No suspects were publicly identified, and no motive was disclosed. The cross had previously survived wars, revolution, and natural deterioration.

Source: christianophobie.fr