Calvary at Tronoën

It is located in the "pays bigouden", a particularly wind swept area of Brittany; the nearby chapelle was called the "cathédrale des dunes".

The calvary dates to between 1450 and 1460 and stands on the grass verge ("placitre") in front of Saint-Jean-Trolimon's Notre-Dame Chapel.

It is the oldest of Finistère's six "grands calvaires" and is thought to be the work of several workshops operating in Scaër, mainly that of the "Maître de Tronoën".

It replaced an ancient Romano-Gallic temple dedicated to the goddess Venus (mythology) and was thought to have been commissioned by the Pont barons.

The calvary comprises a large rectangular granite pedestal or base which measures 4.50 m by 3.15 m. Around this base are two friezes on which are various sculptures, single or in groups, which recount some incidents in Jesus' life beginning with the Annunciation when the Archangel Gabriel tells the Virgin Mary that she is pregnant with Jesus Christ.

At the base of the cross on the right of Jesus' cross is a sculpture showing St Veronica holding up her veil bearing Jesus' image and on the left is a depiction of James, son of Zebedee, wearing the typical dress of a pilgrim to Santiago del Compostella, a pilgrim's staff and a sea-shell worn on his chest.

[2][4] The scenes on this face of the calvary are in granite and in high relief and deal with Original sin, the Resurrection and the Last Judgement.

The first positioned on the left depicts Pontius Pilate washing his hands as Jesus, held by two soldiers, is brought before him.

Below the central cross we see the pietà. St Veronica depicted holding up her veil is at the base of the smaller cross on the left and at the base of the cross on the right is a depiction of James, son of Zebedee . Below the three crosses and on the upper frieze we have, from left to right, Jesus standing before the yawning mouth of hell and then the scene in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. Finally we see Jesus being mocked. On the lower frieze and from left to right we have Jesus washing Saint Peter's feet, Jesus praying in the Garden of Olives and finally Christ in Majesty
Map showing location of Saint-Jean-Trolimon
Saint Veronica holds out her veil bearing Christ's image
St James at the base of the third cross. On his chest he wears a "shell of Compostella" and the typical hat of a pilgrim. Below Jesus can be seen being mocked and teased by two Roman soldiers.
Jesus stands at the mouth of hell. Although erosion has effected this badly,one can make out the nose, eyes and ears of the monstrous head whose mouth is open and from which three figures are emerging
Jesus washing the disciple's feet
A detail from the nativity scene in the calvary at the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Tronoën. This scene appears on the north face. Joseph is sleeping in the stable. Two cattle are at his side