Camargue Cross
The Camargue Cross (fr. La Croix de Camargue or Croix camarguaise ) was designed in 1924 by René Georges Hermann-Paul on behalf of the Marquis de Baroncelli .
It embodies the three theological virtues : faith , hope and love . It symbolizes the Camargue because the cross with the trident (faith) reminds of the Gardian with their trident spear, the anchor (hope) of the fishermen of the Camargue and the heart (love) of the holy Mary Magdalene , Mary Cleophae and Maria Salome , who found refuge here. Tradition has it that they fled the persecution of Christians on a ship from Israel and landed in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer . Sara-la-Kâli is said to have provided for them by begging. The Catholic Roma have chosen the Black Sara as their patron saint. On May 24th and 25th every year a large gathering of Roma families takes place in her honor. This event is known as the "Gypsy Pilgrimage" and is a tourist attraction. The cross is also a symbol of this pilgrimage.
Statue in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
The original cross was made by Joseph Barbanson in his forge in the Place de la Revolution in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. It was consecrated on July 7, 1926 and ten years later it was erected on the bridge coming from Aigues-Mortes in front of the entrance to the village. The original cross was stolen and replaced with a copy.
