The original 1643 cross was a wooden structure placed on the mountain as a votive offering following the survival of the Ville-Marie settlement against the 1642 flooding of the Saint Lawrence River.
The current steel cross weighs approximately 26,000 kilograms (57,000 pounds).
In 1924, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society commissioned the current structure, which replaced an earlier, smaller iron version from 1874.
The cross is illuminated by a computer-controlled LED system that can change colors, with white being the standard for ordinary days and purple reserved for the death of a Pope or certain religious periods.
The cross stands at an elevation of 233 meters above sea level.
The Mount Royal Cross is a 31.4-meter-tall steel structure located at the summit of Mount Royal's Kondiaronk Lookout in Montreal. Originally erected in 1643 by Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve, the current steel version was installed in 1924. The structure features 380 LED lights, allowing it to be illuminated in different colors for various religious, civic, or commemorative occasions. It sits on the site of the city's original founding, as chosen by Maisonneuve to fulfill a religious vow after the settlement was spared from a catastrophic flood. The cross is maintained by the City of Montreal and serves as a primary orientation landmark for the city skyline. It is accessible via the Olmsted Trail, a wide, winding gravel path designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The area surrounding the cross offers a panoramic view of downtown Montreal and the Saint Lawrence River. The cross structure itself is anchored to a concrete base and was renovated in 2009 to incorporate energy-efficient lighting technology.
The Kondiaronk Lookout platform provides the clearest angle to frame the cross with the Montreal skyline in the background.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the hike from the base of the mountain to the summit is a steady incline.
Bring a windbreaker or extra layer, as the peak is significantly windier and cooler than the city streets below.
Visit during the blue hour to see the transition from daylight to the evening illumination of the cross.
Do not attempt to climb or touch the steel structure, as it is a protected heritage site and monitored by security.
