Do you love art? When you travel do you make it a point to see public monuments, sculptures, and statues? There are many monuments to see in Old Montreal.
Whether you are planning a visit to Old Montreal or if you live here but haven’t noticed these monuments to see in Old Montreal, this list is for you. In our research to develop a Tourist Scavenger Hunt in Old Montreal, we came across much information, some of which can only be gleaned when doing the actual scavenger hunt.
However, we also wanted to share some of that information with you for your visit planning. Here are 11 monuments to see in Old Montreal.
11 monuments to see in Old Montreal
- John Young Monument
- You will find the John Young Monument at the corner of De La Commune and Marguerite d’Youville. This is in the western part of Old Montreal. John Young was the first Chairman of the Port Commission responsible for enlarging and developing the port. As a result, this statue of John Young faces the Old Port.
Silophone- The Silophone is a stone resonance structure. When in function, you stand within the 4 columns facing Silo #5 across the water and speak in your normal voice. You should hear your voice echoed back through the side speakers.
Montreal Clock Tower- Workers completed the Clock Tower in 1921. In fact, it is a memorial to Canadian sailors who died in WWI. This monument is accessible to the public and you can climb its 192-step staircase for an impressive 360-degree view of Old Montreal. Moreover, the Clock Tower is free and is open year-round from 11 am to 7 pm.
2 Ships en-route to Chicago Sculpture- On the back side of Montreal’s Clock Tower is a carving of the first two sailboats to take the Saint-Lawrence River to reach Chicago, in Illinois. To get to Chicago from Montreal, they passed through several channels and many locks. Indeed, they had to navigate across lakes Ontario, Erie, Saint-Clair, Huron and Michigan.
Nelson’s Column- Montrealers dedicated this column to the memory of Admiral Horatio Nelson. The column was unveiled in 1809, following his death, at the Battle of Trafalgar. You cannot miss it when you are at Place Jacques Cartier.
Place Marguerite-Bourgeoys- This little park in front of the city’s financial services building is dedicated to Marguerite Bourgeoys. In particular, it presents sculptures of children jumping on stones in the water behind Marguerite Bougeoys. Marguerite Bourgeoys (1620-1700) joined Jeanne Mance (1606-1673) and Paul de Maisonneuve (1612-1676) here in Ville-Marie. Ville-Marie is the old name of Montreal. As a matter of fact, Pope Jean-Paul II canonized Marguerite Bourgeoys on 31 October 1982 and officially raised her to sainthood.
Montreal’s Chinese Friendship Gate- On Saint-Laurent Boulevard at Viger Ave. is Montreal’s Chinese friendship gate signaling your entrance into Chinatown. Montreal’s Chinatown is not very large but very distinctively different from everything around it.
- Maisonneuve Monument
- Sculptor Louis-Philippe Hébert unveiled the Maisonneuve Monument in 1895 in celebration Montreal’s 250th anniversary. It not only commemorates Maisonneuve, but also Charles Le Moyne, Lambert Closse, Jeanne Mance and the Iroquois. Charles Le Moyne was a military leader. Lambert Closse was the first intermediate governor of Montreal. Jeanne Mance is the founder of the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal hospital, the first hospital in Montreal. The Iroquois are the principal natives who were here originally.
Love Sign- Twin to Philadelphia’s original Love Sign, Montreal’s stand in front of LHotel Montreal. This is a boutique hotel which boasts much modern and pop-art within its colorful lobby.
Voluptuous Man on Horse- This sculpture created in 1974 can also be found in front of LHotel Montreal. You will find it to the right of Montreal’s Love Sign. Fernando Botero, a figurative artist, and sculptor from Medellin Colombia, sculpted this work of art.
Obelisk monument to pioneers- You will find the Place de la Grande-Paix de Montréal on Place d’Youville on the western end of Old Montreal. In fact, it is behind the Musée Pointe-à-Caillère. It was erected so as to honor the peace treaty that was signed here in 1801 by Sieu de Callière representing New-France with 39 Native nations.
- The Obelisk here is a monument to Montreal’s pioneers. The city installed it here in 1893 it’s 250th anniversary. One of its four plaques details the names of Montreal’s first colonists.
We invite you to try our Old Montreal Tourist Scavenger Hunt. It is a 2 and a half hour guided walking tour around Old Montreal you do on your mobile phone (how it works). It only costs $30 for your group and you will enjoy seeing these monuments, sculptures and statues and much more while completing challenges and learning Montreal’s history.
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