Calvary at Pleyben

This statue is inscribed "EN L´HONNEUR DE DIEV ET (NOTRE) DA (M) E ET MONSIEUR S GERMAIN CESTE CROIX FVST COME (N) CE 1555" and this has been used to fix the calvary's date.

In 1650, it was enriched by the addition of several new sculptures including the Entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper and the scene where Jesus is washing Peter's feet.

This work was carried out by the Pleyben entrepreneurs, Guillaume Le Goff, Yves Quiniou and François Motreff, and it is thought that at this time the structure could well have been modified and enlarged.

Four buttresses strengthen the calvary and an arcaded passage runs through the centre producing an Arc de Triomphe like effect.

On the east facing corniche, the statuary covers the Entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper and the Foot washing.

On the calvary's upper surface (the platform) southeast corner is the scene depicting the "Ecce Homo" with Pontius Pilate wearing a Phylactery inscribed "ECCE HOMO" and pointing to Jesus and one of Jesus' accusers whose Phylactery reads "TOLLE TOLLE CRVCIFIGE EVM".

Mary's face is bathed in tears whilst John looks up towards Jesus, his left hand raised.

[1] Along the corniche on this face of Pleyben's calvary, we commence on the left side with a scene showing Jesus at prayer in the garden of Gethsemane.

[1] On the platform of the south facing side of the calvary after some soldiers, depicted standing or on horseback we have the scene depicting the descent into Limbo where Hell is a large open mouth from which Jesus has already led out Adam and Eve and still visible in the mouth are further lost souls held in check by a devil wielding a fork.

Jesus holds a pilgrim's staff to underline the length of the journey he has made to reach this place.

To the right of the entry into Limbo scene we see another horsed soldier and then the solitary figure of a Jew holding a scroll containing the text of the accusation being made against Jesus.

All three wear capes except for Melchior who kneels before the baby Jesus, his hands joined together and with a sword at his side.

In the Flight into Egypt, Joseph carries a moneybag and a pilgrim's staff to remind us that he is starting out on a long journey.

In the scene with the two lawyers the sculptor shows that Jesus is speaking by depicting him with his right index finger placed on the left thumb.

Then we have the "Ecce Homo" scene with Pontius Pilate shown washing his hands, with Jesus held by soldiers standing at his side.

On the corniche below we have a scene showing Jesus speaking with the lawyers on the left side buttress and then the Entry into Jerusalem with the inscription "Hossana fili David" this followed by a depiction of the Last Supper with Judas Iscariot on the right holding his purse.

We then see Jesus washing St Peter's feet, followed on the buttress to the right by a scene depictig the temptation of Christ with the devil bearded with claws and with large ears.

The calvary stands close to the 16th-century church
A view looking up to Jesus on the cross. Below, the "risen" Jesus emerges in triumph from his tomb stepping past two sleeping guards and another, who has fallen to the ground, is shielding his eyes, astonished by what he is seeing. Part of the lower frieze can be seen, this holding the depiction of Jesus being mocked and to the left we see the top of St Peter's head. He had just denied Jesus and kneels in prayer asking forgiveness
On the far left we see Peter kneeling and praying after his denial of Jesus, then we see Jesus being flogged and finally the scene where the crown of thorns is forced down onto Jesus' head.
On the left we see Jesus' arrest. Malchus lies on the ground having been attacked by Peter. We then see Jesus held by two soldiers and being brought before Caiaphas who sits on his throne.
View of the north face. We see Jesus on his knees praying in Gethsemane , his two companions sleeping, then Peter standing his sword visible, and a scene depicting the arrest. Then on the far right we see Jesus brought before Caiaphas. On the buttress to the right is the pietà and on the buttress to the left Jesus' temptation by Satan. The platform above is dominated by the depiction of Jesus carrying the cross to Calvary.
A view of the south face. On the left side of the corniche we see the Visitation with Saint Elizabeth reaching out to touch the Virgin Mary 's stomach then the nativity scene with Mary and Joseph kneeling before the baby Jesus who lies before two small angels and the ass and the cow. This is followed by the Adoration of the Magi and then the Flight into Egypt . Finally on the end of the next buttress we see Jesus depicted in the temple in conversation with two lawyers. Jesus stands on a dias so he effectively looks down on the two lawyers. In the centre of the platform above we see the scene depicting the Harrowing of Hell with Jesus leading Adam and Eve from the "Mouth of Hell" in which some of the damned can be seen along with a devil armed with a fork. Then we see a Jew holding the scroll containing details of the charges being leveled against Jesus and finally a soldier dressing Christ in his "royal robe."
The entry into Jerusalem/ Palm Sunday . The sculptor suggests the gates of Jerusalem by his depiction of a doorway to the right. In this doorway, one man holds a palm and the second lays down a rug by way of a welcome. To the right we see the beginning of the scene depicting the "Last supper". Under the ass we see the words "Hossana fili David".
The Last Supper
Jesus washing St Peter's feet
On the left we see Jesus' arrest followed by his presentation to the High Priest seated on his throne. Jesus is held by two soldiers.