“Ce signe de croix a été consacré.” Do you hear the echoes of those words? The Croix de Marbre stands before us. It is more than a monument. It is a symbol. It marks a pivotal moment in history.
The Croix de Marbre in Cannes commemorates the Treaty of Nice. The treaty was signed in 1538. But the story of this place goes back even further.
In 1538, a wooden cross was erected. It marked the meeting between King François I and Emperor Charles Quint. Pope Paul III mediated. He sought to end the long war between France and the Holy Roman Empire. The cross stood where Pope Paul III officiated. It was at the entrance to Nice on the route de France.
In 1543, tragedy struck. Turkish cannons destroyed the wooden cross. They also destroyed the nearby Sainte-Croix convent.
A new cross arose in 1568. This time, it was made of marble. Hence the name Croix de Marbre. However, it too faced many challenges.
In 1668, a violent storm toppled the cross. It broke upon hitting the ground. The municipal council restored the aging cross in 1733. In 1782-1783, a major restoration took place. The stone base was rebuilt. The cupola got 500 glazed tiles. Lead solder reinforced the cross. Only the four columns remain from the original 1568 construction.
The French Revolution brought more upheaval. The Directoire ordered its removal in 1796. It was later restored in 1807. Vandalism struck again. The cross was broken again. The current cross is a replacement. The sculptor Schaeffer created it.
Look closely at the inscription. “SIGNVM HOC CRVCIS DEDICARVNT NOBILIS MELCHIOR MALETVS.” It lists the consuls and assessors of the time. The date is clearly marked: March 4, 1568.
Notice the edicule. It rests on a pedestal of dressed stone. A cupola with glazed tiles protects the white Carrara marble crucifix.
The Croix de Marbre has witnessed centuries of change. It stood at the heart of a growing faubourg. In the mid-19th century, the area was known for market gardens. English winter residents favored it. They even established a church and cemetery nearby in 1820.
Today, the Croix de Marbre stands as a classified historical monument. It faces another historical landmark. This is the Colonne du Pape. Both stand on the Place de la Croix de Marbre.
The Croix de Marbre is more than stone and marble. It is a testament to faith. It is a symbol of peace. It is a reminder of Nice’s rich and turbulent past. As you stand here, imagine the figures who have stood in this very spot. Envision the kings, popes, and commoners who shaped the history of Nice. The Croix de Marbre remains a silent witness to it all.