Mount Royal Cross, Summit cross in Mount Royal Park, Montreal, Canada
The Mount Royal Cross is a large steel structure standing at the summit of the mountain overlooking Montreal. Its frame is built from thousands of individual pieces fitted together to create an imposing vertical monument visible from across the city.
The Society of Saint-Jean-Baptiste built this cross in 1924 to honor an earlier wooden cross placed by a city founder in the early 1600s. This newer monument was meant to make that historical connection visible to future generations.
The cross lighting shifts in color depending on what is being celebrated in the city. People passing by notice these color changes marking holidays, mourning, and local traditions.
The site can be reached from different sides of the mountain, each offering different paths and climbing routes. Visitors should know that access to certain areas may vary depending on season and weather conditions.
A time capsule buried beneath the base contains letters and drawings from thousands of Montreal children expressing their hopes for the distant future. This capsule will only be opened again when the city reaches a significant anniversary milestone.
Location: Ville-Marie
Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access
Made from material: steel
Part of: Mont-Royal Heritage Site
GPS coordinates: 45.50883,-73.58791
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03
Montreal combines historic sites and cultural institutions along the Saint Lawrence River. The city displays its religious past in structures like Notre-Dame Basilica, whose neo-gothic facade dates to the 1820s, and Saint Joseph's Oratory, a Catholic pilgrimage site on Westmount. Mount Royal rises 764 ft (233 m) above the city center, offering views across downtown and the river. Parc Jean-Drapeau spans two former Expo islands and now houses the Biosphere and the Formula 1 track Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Cultural facilities include the Museum of Fine Arts, which presents Canadian and European collections, and Pointe-à-Callière, built on archaeological sites from the 17th century. Old Montreal preserves buildings from the French colonial period along cobblestone streets. The Olympic Stadium and Botanical Garden date from different 20th-century construction phases. Markets such as Jean-Talon and Atwater have sold regional produce for decades. The Quartier des Spectacles concentrates performance venues around Place des Arts, while the Underground City connects pedestrian passages beneath downtown.
Mount Royal
143 m
Percival Molson Memorial Stadium
582 m
Mount Royal Cemetery
788 m
Mount Royal Chalet
549 m
Ravenscrag
558 m
Redpath Museum
954 m
George-Étienne Cartier Monument
632 m
Montreal Aquarium
663 m
Parc Jeanne-Mance
777 m
McTavish reservoir
802 m
McTavish Street
929 m
H. Vincent Meredith Residence
699 m
McIntyre Medical Sciences Building
780 m
Théâtre du Rideau Vert
674 m
Robert Burns Memorial
282 m
Marlborough Apartments
926 m
Arts Building
917 m
Square Forms and Circles
907 m
Maison Hosea-Ballou-Smith
930 m
Exaltation (sculpture)
917 m
Hosmer House
870 m
Polypède
892 m
Rare Books and Special Collections
892 m
Fenêtre sur l'avenir
919 m
Television Tower Mont-Royal
472 m
Canadian Grenadier Guards' Armoury
899 m
Le Retour
713 m
James Administration Building
849 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes