This small historical monument has always been locally known as « Ou Crierel »  (1)

 

From the 31st May 1614 – the day when the parish of Lillianes was founded – until the end of WW2 official announcements or « cries » were made there, firstly on behalf of lords then the local authorities.

For a long time most people being illiterate « cries » were the only way to keep the population informed.  The announcements were written in Latin and had to be translated in « romana or the local dialect ».

In this precise spot, at the « Crierel », after the mass and before the blessed bread was distributed, the « Crieur » (2)  would make his announcements to the gathered crowd, in a loud and intelligible voice.

• Communications of general and common interests

• Notifications of « tailles » - taxes that each household had to pay twice a year on their property.

• Summons to appear in a court of law.

 

This small structure is still here today, in its original place. Its location, on the church square, was chosen because that is where people regularly congregated for mass and to receive the blessed bread.

 

« OU CRIEREL » was therefore a gathering place, a meeting point. The adjacent building dating from the XVIIth century and recently turned into a hostel was named after this monument in the hope that it becomes a hub for many travellers, visitors and holiday makers…

 

 

 

 

(1)  Crierel – Small structure where the town crier stood

 

(2)  Crieur - Town crier

 

 

Note : Historical notes are extracts from «Lillianes - Histoire d’une communauté de montagne de la Basse Vallée d’Aoste» – vol. I - d’Orphée Zanolli