Mount Royal Cross facts for kids
Daytime image (pre-renovation)
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 Location in Montreal
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| Coordinates | 45°30′32″N 73°35′16″W / 45.50889°N 73.58778°W |
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| Location | Mount Royal |
| Material | steel |
| Width | 11 metres (36 ft) |
| Height | 31.4 metres (103 ft) |
| Beginning date | May 16, 1924 |
| Completion date | Mid-September 1924 |
The Mount Royal Cross is a famous landmark in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It stands tall on top of Mount Royal, a large hill in the city. From its spot, it looks over the eastern part of the Island of Montreal. This giant cross is a symbol that many people recognize.
Contents
History of the Mount Royal Cross
The First Cross in 1643
The very first cross on Mount Royal was put up in 1643. This was done by Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve. He was the founder of Fort Ville-Marie, which later became Montreal. He made a promise to the Virgin Mary during a terrible flood. He vowed to put up a cross if the flood waters went down. When they did, he kept his promise.
Building the Illuminated Cross in 1924
Many years later, in 1924, a new, illuminated cross was built. The Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste, a group that promotes French-Canadian culture, installed it. They later gave the cross to the city of Montreal in 1929. Since then, the city has been in charge of taking care of it.
Modern Upgrades and Maintenance
The city of Montreal has made sure the cross stays in good shape. In 2004, the Montreal City Council officially took over its care. They also used this chance to improve the area around the cross. They added new park benches and made it easier for people to visit. These improvements cost about $2 million. The city and the Quebec government helped pay for the work.
How Big is the Mount Royal Cross?
The Mount Royal Cross is truly impressive. It is made from steel and weighs 26 tons. It has 1,830 pieces held together by 6,000 rivets. The cross stands 31.4 meters (about 103 feet) tall. Its arms stretch 11 meters (about 36 feet) wide. It is located 252 meters (about 827 feet) above the St. Lawrence River.
The Cross's Changing Colors
The cross is usually lit up in a bright white color. However, it has a special LED lighting system. This system allows it to change to almost any color. For example, it turns purple when a Pope has died and a new one is being chosen. Before LEDs, workers had to change all the light bulbs to make it purple! Now, a computer controls the colors.
The cross has also been lit in other colors for special events. It has turned red to raise awareness for AIDS. It has also been blue for Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, a Quebec holiday. In 2013, when Pope Benedict XVI resigned, the cross stayed white. This was during the time before Pope Francis was elected.
Earth Hour Participation
On March 28, 2009, the Mount Royal Cross went dark for one hour. This was to mark Earth Hour. Earth Hour is an event where people turn off lights to show support for protecting our planet.
A Common Myth About Building Heights
Many people in Montreal believe a myth. They think no building can be taller than the Mount Royal Cross. But this is not true! City rules actually say that buildings cannot be taller than Mount Royal itself. The cross is just a part of the mountain's overall height.
Time Capsule at the Cross
Next to the cross, there is a special plaque. It marks the spot of a time capsule buried in 1992. This was part of Montreal's 350th birthday celebration. The capsule holds messages and drawings from 12,000 children. They shared their ideas for what Montreal would be like in the year 2142. That is when the time capsule is planned to be opened.
See also
In Spanish: Cruz de Montreal para niños
