A cross on the site of Joan of Arc execution - Rouen, France
Posted by: neoc1
N 49° 26.593 E 001° 05.282
31U E 361402 N 5478485
The Joan of Arc Memorial Cross is located next to L'église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc at the west end of the Rue du Gros Horloge in Rouen.
Waymark Code: WMV87N
Location: Normandie, France
Date Posted: 03/12/2017
Views: 10
The national monument to Joan of Arc is located at the site in Rouen where she was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. It is located on the west side of L'église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc (Church of Saint Joan of Arc). The Joan of Arc Memorial Cross rises to a height of 65 feet. The iron Cross of Lorraine is visible from all directions as it soars above the roof line of the church. The cross was placed on the exact site where archaeological evidence indicates that Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.
Joan of Arc was born into a peasant family in Domrémy, France about 1412. Beginning at about age 12 she claimed to experience visions directing her to drive the English out of France and pave the way for the coronation of a French king. Claiming to be guided by God, she led the French army to important victories in the Hundred Years' War, which led to Charles VII assuming the throne of France.
She was captured by the Burgundians, and purchased by the English from Duke Philip of Burgundy and put on trial before the Bishop Pierre Cauchon on charges of heresy. At age 19, she was found guilty and burned at the stake in Rouen on May 30, 1431 . Twenty-five years later Pope Callixtus III pronounced her innocent and declared her a martyr. Joan of Arc was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920. She is now the one of patron saint of France.
During World War II, Rouen was completely devastated. The church of St. Vincent, which stood near the market place was completely destroyed. A new church was build in the market place using the preserved stained glass windows of the destroyed church. L'église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc (The Church of Saint Joan of Arc) was designed by architect Louis Arretche and completed in 1979.
The church has a modern design with a curved roof line that is based on an overturned Viking ship and also represent the flames that killed Joan of Arc.
Visit Instructions:
Please provide another photo of the location. You don't have to be in there shot, but you can. The photo requirement is to discourage any armchair visiting.