The statue of the Virgin Mary, located in front of the cemetery in the town of Hontanx in Landes, was stolen last week. The mayor hopes to be able to find her.
A surprising disappearance. A stone statue of the Virgin Mary was stolen from Hontanx in the Landes. The inhabitants have lost a point of reference. The work has been present since 1893 at the exit of the village, in front of the cemetery.
“When people ask us for a place to go, we tell them ‘you go along the pond, you will see the virgin, you go to the right or to the left’, it was a point of reference,” explained the mayor of the commune of around 600 souls, Jean-Louis Dejean.
“We absolutely want to put it back. I don't know when or how. We also hope to find her, that’s the most important thing,” said the councilor on CNEWS.
A prize pool for a new statue?
The events took place during the night from Friday to Saturday last. The Virgin, which weighs more than 100 kg, is said to have been stolen using a winch and a crane. “This stele looks a little empty without anything,” saddened the owner of the plot, Frédéric Blondeau, who will “try” to appeal for donations to buy a new virgin.
The village is on alert after this theft. “In the morning, before going to the town hall, I go around the village,” said the mayor who admits to now having “a certain worry”.
For the moment, no hypothesis has been ruled out. The investigation was entrusted to the Landes gendarmerie.
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