Pedró Cross (Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana)

The Pedró Cross of Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana is one of the most unique elements of the municipality's historical and ethnological heritage. Located on the upper esplanade of the parish church, near the Rector's Fountain, this cross recalls ancient religious traditions and popular ceremonies that for centuries formed part of the daily life of the village.

Its origins date back to the beginning of the 17th century. In 1604, a pastoral visit ordered the construction of a conjuradero, a space intended for prayers and blessings to protect crops from storms. Two years later, in 1606, the Pedró appears in documents for the first time, with instructions to place an iron or stone cross there.

The original cross was an extraordinary example of early Baroque Catalan folk ironwork. It featured a helically twisted iron shaft, decorated with a lily from which emerged a cross with fleur-de-lis ends. On one side was a small wrought iron figure of Christ. The whole rested on a square stone pillar.

The main function of the Pedró was the blessing of the municipality every May 3rd, the Feast of the Holy Cross. A procession would leave the church and proceed to the monument, where priests would read passages from the four Gospels and bless the four cardinal points with the True Cross. This ritual symbolized the protection of the territory from misfortune and adversity.

The Pedró was also part of other celebrations, such as the Palm Sunday blessing. During the Civil War it suffered damage and, subsequently, underwent modifications and progressive deterioration that jeopardized its preservation.

Thanks to a restoration initiative spearheaded by local residents and collaborators, the monument has been rebuilt in a public space near its original location. The base has been reconstructed using the original stones and lime mortar, while a new cross replicates the shape of the original. Today, the Cruz del Pedró is once again a symbol of the collective memory and traditions of Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana.