Cerro de Las Tres Cruces, Monument of three crosses in Montebello district, Colombia.
The Cerro de Las Tres Cruces is a monument featuring three large concrete crosses on a hill in the Montebello district of Cali, Colombia. The central cross reaches a height of 26 meters and a width of 11 meters, while the two side crosses are somewhat smaller.
On 3 May 1837 the Franciscan friars Juan and Vicente Cuesta carried three crosses of guadua cane up the hill to exorcise the demon Buziraco. A 1925 earthquake brought those crosses down. For the city's fourth centenary Father Marco Tulio Collazos promoted iron and concrete replacements: the central cross was built from 26 May to 31 December 1937 under engineer Argemiro Escobar and master builder Luis Felipe Perea, and the work was completed on 6 January 1938.
The three crosses mark an important place for religious celebrations in the city, especially during Holy Week when many people climb the hill. The name comes from the three crosses that have stood on this summit since the 19th century, recalling the crucifixion of Jesus.
The ascent begins at Altos de Normandía, in the Normandía neighbourhood, and climbs about 480 metres to the summit at 1,480 m above sea level. The path is unlit and exposed, so go early in the day. Weekends draw around 3,000 visitors, and Holy Week brings crowds estimated at 900,000.
The crosses were built following old local lore to ward off Buziraco, a demon believed to have brought misfortune to Cali for 300 years after being banished from Cartagena. Many people in the city still know this story today and connect it with the monument.
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