La Piéta ou Mater Dolorosa

The history of this small, emblematic aedicula is worthy of our interest. It is a small fountain, originally situated in an angle of  the walls of the old cemetery, and it actually seems to defy time. Little is known of its origins, but some characteristic details bear witness to a construction of the early 17th century. It is one of numerous monuments erected by the Christian church to distance the faithful from the pagan cults of nymphs and fountains. The original stone cross, charged with chasing away pagan divinities, was replaced by a more sober  iron cross. The monument was often damaged and displaced but has always interested the locals, who have wanted it to be preserved. This is an ancient bond, and for many reasons. From the open wound in Christ’s right flank there once flowed an abundance of water, which served the needs of the local inhabitants. During the 9th century the water was held in a basin at about one and a half kilometres upstream and conducted via a terracotta pipe. Pilgrims used to burn candles at the foot of the small sepulchral group. The nurturing source of the fountain, to which is attributed the legend of St. Georges, was the subject of important beliefs. Legend stipulated that St. Georges came here at the head of an army of 6000 men. Confronted by intense heat and facing his thirst-weakened soldiers, St Georges, placed all his trust in God and struck the ground with his sword, causing a spring to spurt up from it, thus  quenching  his soldiers’ thirst. This was a providential and nourishing source of water, but an apocryphal legend,  like all the stories associated with this legendary saint. Nearer to us, the people of Fontaine le Bourg and its surrounding villages, came to the fountain to pray to, and put ribbons around the necks of, the Virgin and Christ so that sickly children, or those who refused their mother’s milk, could be restored to good health.

At the beginning of the 1950s the fountain’s iron polluted water was transformed into drinking water to supply the many homes in the village and on the plateau to the north.

Alain Dugard