Cross of Gaspé, Monumental cross in Gaspé, Canada.
The Cross of Gaspé is a monumental granite cross that rises from O'Hara Point and marks the entrance to Gaspé Bay in Quebec. Carved from a single granite block, the structure weighs around 42 tons and stands at a dedicated viewing site along the waterfront.
The Canadian government commissioned this monument in 1934 to mark the 400th anniversary of Jacques Cartier's arrival in 1534. It replaced the original wooden cross that had served as a symbol of French territorial claim.
The cross marks a pivotal moment when European explorers first claimed this territory, and it remains a symbol of that initial contact with the land. Visitors come to reflect on the meeting of two worlds that occurred at this coastal point.
The monument sits near the Gaspé bridge and features a dedicated viewing area right at the water's edge, making it easy to access. The location is walkable and offers room for several visitors to view the cross comfortably.
The granite block for this cross was quarried from a single source in Rivière-à-Pierre, Quebec, and transported across the province to this coastal site. This connection between two distant locations adds another layer to the monument's story.
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