Peruvian Road Cross (Cruz del camino)

This crucifix is located in Room 113 of DeBartolo Hall.

Starting in the 16th century, Spanish settlers placed crucifixes along roads to protect travelers in Peru. Representation of road crosses incorporates a set of standard symbols, including the face of Christ, the sun, the moon, the INRI sign and a rooster, a ladder, a spear, and the pole with the vinegar sponge.

Every year, the Huncayo region celebrates the May Cross festival to honor St. Helena’s discovery of the cross at Calvary Hill.

This crucifix was designed by Pedro González Paucar, from the Andean city Huancayo (Junín, Peru). In 2013, the Peruvian Congress and the Ministry of Foreign Commerce and Tourism honored González Paucar with the Joaquín López Antay award for distinguished Peruvian artisans.

González Paucar learned the trade from his grandfather, master Pedro Abilio González Flores. Seeking to protect the work of local artists, in 1977 he founded the Regional Association of Artisans Kamaq Maki.

"I continue to work on crosses, because I do not want to detach myself from their rich heritage," Paucar said in 2011.

Continue down the hallway until you see stairs on your right. Take the stairs to the second floor, then turn left. The next crucifix will be in Room 201.