An eternal flame is a flame, lamp or torch that burns for an indefinite time. Most eternal flames are ignited and tended intentionally, but some are natural phenomena caused by

natural gas Natural gas (also fossil gas, methane gas, and gas) is a naturally occurring compound of gaseous hydrocarbons, primarily methane (95%), small amounts of higher alkanes, and traces of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide and helium ...

leaks, peat fires and

coal seam fire A coal-seam fire is a burning of an outcrop or underground coal seam. Most coal-seam fires exhibit smouldering combustion, particularly underground coal-seam fires, because of limited atmospheric oxygen availability. Coal-seam fire instances ...

s, all of which can be initially ignited by lightning,

piezoelectricity Piezoelectricity (, ) is the electric charge that accumulates in certain solid materials—such as crystals, certain ceramics, and biological matter such as bone, DNA, and various proteins—in response to applied mechanical stress. The piezoel ...

or human activity, some of which have burned for hundreds or thousands of years. In ancient times, eternal flames were fueled by wood or

olive oil Olive oil is a vegetable oil obtained by pressing whole olives (the fruit of ''Olea europaea'', a traditional Tree fruit, tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin) and extracting the oil. It is commonly used in cooking for frying foods, as a cond ...

; modern examples usually use a piped supply of

propane Propane () is a three-carbon chain alkane with the molecular formula . It is a gas at standard temperature and pressure, but becomes liquid when compressed for transportation and storage. A by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum ref ...

or natural gas. Human-created eternal flames most often commemorate a person or event of national significance, serve as a symbol of an enduring nature such as a

religious belief A belief is a subjective attitude that something is true or a state of affairs is the case. A subjective attitude is a mental state of having some stance, take, or opinion about something. In epistemology, philosophers use the term "belief ...

, or a reminder of commitment to a common goal, such as

diplomacy Diplomacy is the communication by representatives of State (polity), state, International organization, intergovernmental, or Non-governmental organization, non-governmental institutions intended to influence events in the international syste ...

Religious and cultural significance

The eternal fire is a long-standing tradition in many cultures and religions. In

ancient Iran The history of Iran (also known as Name of Iran, Persia) is intertwined with Greater Iran, which is a socio-cultural region encompassing all of the areas that have witnessed significant settlement or influence exerted by the Iranian peoples and ...

the ''

atar Atar, Ahtra, Atash, Azar () or ''Dāštāɣni'',, s.v. ''agni-.'' is the Zoroastrian concept of holy fire, sometimes described in abstract terms as "burning and unburning fire" or "visible and invisible fire" (Mirza, 1987:389). It is conside ...

'' was tended by a dedicated priest and represented the concept of "divine sparks" or ''

Amesha Spenta In Zoroastrianism, the Amesha Spenta (—literally "Immortal (which is) holy/bounteous/furthering") are a class of seven divine entities emanating from Ahura Mazda, the highest divinity of the religion. Later Middle Persian variations of the ter ...

,'' as understood in

Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism ( ), also called Mazdayasnā () or Beh-dīn (), is an Iranian religions, Iranian religion centred on the Avesta and the teachings of Zoroaster, Zarathushtra Spitama, who is more commonly referred to by the Greek translation, ...

. Period sources indicate that three "great fires" existed in the

Achaemenid The Achaemenid Empire or Achaemenian Empire, also known as the Persian Empire or First Persian Empire (; , , ), was an Iranian empire founded by Cyrus the Great of the Achaemenid dynasty in 550 BC. Based in modern-day Iran, it was the large ...

era of Persian history, which are collectively considered the earliest reference to the practice of creating ever-burning community fires. The eternal flame was a component of the Jewish religious rituals performed in the

Tabernacle According to the Hebrew Bible, the tabernacle (), also known as the Tent of the Congregation (, also Tent of Meeting), was the portable earthly dwelling of God used by the Israelites from the Exodus until the conquest of Canaan. Moses was instru ...

and later in the

Temple in Jerusalem The Temple in Jerusalem, or alternatively the Holy Temple (; , ), refers to the two religious structures that served as the central places of worship for Israelites and Jews on the modern-day Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. Accord ...

, where a commandment required a fire to burn continuously upon the Outer

Altar An altar is a table or platform for the presentation of religion, religious offerings, for sacrifices, or for other ritualistic purposes. Altars are found at shrines, temples, Church (building), churches, and other places of worship. They are use ...

. Modern Judaism continues a similar tradition by having a

sanctuary lamp Chancel lamp in the Rotunda of Mosta, Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, Malta A sanctuary lamp, chancel lamp, altar lamp, everlasting light, or eternal flame is a light that shines before the altar of sanctuaries in many Jewish and ...

, the ''ner tamid'', always lit above the ark in the synagogue. After

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, such flames gained further meaning, as a reminder of the six million Jews killed in

the Holocaust The Holocaust (), known in Hebrew language, Hebrew as the (), was the genocide of History of the Jews in Europe, European Jews during World War II. From 1941 to 1945, Nazi Germany and Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy ...

. Judaism has a concept of a נר תמיד or everlasting flame. This is commonly found hanging in front of the Aron Kodesh (holy ark) in orthodox Synagogues. It is meant as a remembrance of the Temple. Occasionally this flame is a fire which is kept lit 24/7. Other times it is merely electric and stays on all the time. In traditional Christian denominations, such as

Catholicism The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

and

Lutheranism Lutheranism is a major branch of Protestantism that emerged under the work of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German friar and Protestant Reformers, reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practices of the Catholic Church launched ...

, a chancel lamp continuously burns as an indication of the

real presence of Christ in the Eucharist The real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, sometimes shortened Real Presence'','' is the Christian doctrine that Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist, not merely symbolically or metaphorically, but in a true, real and substantial way. T ...

. The

Cherokee Nation The Cherokee Nation ( or ) is the largest of three list of federally recognized tribes, federally recognized tribes of Cherokees in the United States. It includes people descended from members of the Cherokee Nation (1794–1907), Old Cheroke ...

maintained a fire at the seat of government until ousted by the

Indian Removal Act The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was signed into law on May 28, 1830, by United States president Andrew Jackson. The law, as described by Congress, provided "for an exchange of lands with the Indians residing in any of the states or territories, ...

in 1830. At that time, embers from the last great council fire were carried west to the nation's new home in the

Oklahoma Territory The Territory of Oklahoma was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 2, 1890, until November 16, 1907, when it was joined with the Indian Territory under a new constitution and admitted to the Union as ...

. The flame, maintained in Oklahoma, was carried back to the last seat of the Cherokee government at

Red Clay State Park Red Clay State Historic Park is a state park located in southern Bradley County, Tennessee, United States. The park preserves the Red Clay Council Grounds, which were the site of the last capital of the Cherokee Nation in the eastern United Stat ...

in south-eastern

Tennessee Tennessee (, ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina t ...

, to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in

Cherokee, North Carolina Cherokee () is a census-designated place (CDP) in Swain and Jackson counties in Western North Carolina, United States, within the Qualla Boundary land trust. Cherokee is located in the Oconaluftee River Valley around the intersection of U.S. ...

, and to the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex in

Tahlequah, Oklahoma Tahlequah ( ; , ) is a city in Cherokee County, Oklahoma located at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. It is part of the Green Country region of Oklahoma and was established as a capital of the 19th-century Cherokee Nation in 1839, as p ...

.''From the First Rising Sun: The Real Prehistory of the Cherokee People and Nation According to Oral Traditions, Legends, and Myths''. Charla Jean Morris. Author House, Bloomington, IN: 2011. Page xvii. In China, it has at times been common to establish an eternally lit lamp as a visible aspect of

ancestor veneration The veneration of the dead, including one's ancestors, is based on love and respect for the deceased. In some cultures, it is related to beliefs that the dead have a continued existence, and may possess the ability to influence the fortune of t ...

; it is set in front of a

spirit tablet A spirit tablet, memorial tablet, or ancestral tablet is a placard that people used to designate the seat of a deity or past ancestor as well as to enclose it. The name of the deity or the past ancestor is usually inscribed onto the tablet. Wit ...

on the family's ancestral altar.

Extinguished flames

* Eternal fire at Nymphaion sanctuary in southern

Illyria In classical and late antiquity, Illyria (; , ''Illyría'' or , ''Illyrís''; , ''Illyricum'') was a region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula inhabited by numerous tribes of people collectively known as the Illyrians. The Ancient Gree ...

. Placed around the lower Vjosë/Aoos river near ancient Apollonia and present-day Selenica,

Albania Albania ( ; or ), officially the Republic of Albania (), is a country in Southeast Europe. It is located in the Balkans, on the Adriatic Sea, Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea, and shares land borders with Montenegro to ...

, the area was occupied by

Illyrians The Illyrians (, ; ) were a group of Indo-European languages, Indo-European-speaking people who inhabited the western Balkan Peninsula in ancient times. They constituted one of the three main Paleo-Balkan languages, Paleo-Balkan populations, alon ...

since before archaic colonial times, and the site was likely already a place of worship because of its peculiar physical properties. According to ancient literary accounts the fire of the sanctuary never went out before an ancient war fought between Apollonia and the Illyrians. * One of the three "Great Flames" of the

Achaemenid Empire The Achaemenid Empire or Achaemenian Empire, also known as the Persian Empire or First Persian Empire (; , , ), was an Iranian peoples, Iranian empire founded by Cyrus the Great of the Achaemenid dynasty in 550 BC. Based in modern-day Iran, i ...

was extinguished during the reign of

Alexander the Great Alexander III of Macedon (; 20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11 June 323 BC), most commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the Ancient Greece, ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia (ancient kingdom), Macedon. He succeeded his father Philip ...

to honour the death of his close friend

Hephaestion Hephaestion ( ''Hēphaistíōn''; c. 356 BC – 324 BC), son of Amyntor, was an ancient Macedonian nobleman of probable "Attic or Ionian extraction" and a general in the army of Alexander the Great. He was "by far the dearest ...

in 324 BC. * The

Hebrew Bible The Hebrew Bible or Tanakh (;"Tanach"
. '' Leviticus 6:13, JPS), regarding the altar of Burnt Offering in the

, and later the altars in

Solomon's Temple Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple (), was a biblical Temple in Jerusalem believed to have existed between the 10th and 6th centuries Common Era, BCE. Its description is largely based on narratives in the Hebrew Bible, in which it ...

and the

Second Temple The Second Temple () was the Temple in Jerusalem that replaced Solomon's Temple, which was destroyed during the Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC), Babylonian siege of Jerusalem in 587 BCE. It was constructed around 516 BCE and later enhanced by Herod ...

(the latter sacked by Rome in 70 AD). Many churches (especially Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran), along with Jewish synagogues, feature an eternal flame on or hung above their

altar An altar is a table or platform for the presentation of religion, religious offerings, for sacrifices, or for other ritualistic purposes. Altars are found at shrines, temples, Church (building), churches, and other places of worship. They are use ...

s (churches) or

Torah ark A Torah ark (also known as the ''hekhal'', , or ''aron qodesh'', ) is an ornamental chamber in the synagogue that houses the Torah scrolls. History The ark is also known as the ''ark of law'', or in Hebrew the ''Aron Kodesh'' () or ''aron ha-Kod ...

s (synagogues). * The

Sacred fire of Vesta The sacred fire of Vesta was a sacred Eternal flame#Extinguished flames, eternal flame in ancient Rome. The Vestal Virgins, originally numbering two, later four, and eventually six, were Cleromancy, selected by lot and served for thirty years, te ...

in Ancient Rome, which burned within the Temple of Vesta on the

Roman Forum A forum (Latin: ''forum'', "public place outdoors", : ''fora''; English : either ''fora'' or ''forums'') was a public square in a municipium, or any civitas, of Ancient Rome reserved primarily for the vending of goods; i.e., a marketplace, alon ...

, was extinguished in 394 AD. *The sacred fire of the

Celtic Celtic, Celtics or Keltic may refer to: Language and ethnicity *pertaining to Celts, a collection of Indo-European peoples in Europe and Anatolia **Celts (modern) *Celtic languages **Proto-Celtic language *Celtic music *Celtic nations Sports Foot ...

goddess

Brigid Brigid or Brigit ( , ; meaning 'exalted one'),Campbell, MikBehind the Name.See also Xavier Delamarre, ''brigantion / brigant-'', in ''Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise'' (Éditions Errance, 2003) pp. 87–88: "Le nom de la sainte irlandaise ''B ...

burned at

Kildare Kildare () is a town in County Kildare, Ireland. , its population was 10,302, making it the 7th largest town in County Kildare. It is home to Kildare Cathedral, historically the site of an important abbey said to have been founded by Saint ...

, Ireland in pagan times and the fire was continued when the site was Christianised by Saint Brigid in the 5th century AD. It continued burning until the 16th-century Dissolution of the Monasteries. * The eternal flame near the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn in Estonia was extinguished after the country gained independence from the

USSR The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...

in 1991. * The eternal flame that was part of the

East German East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was a country in Central Europe from its formation on 7 October 1949 until its reunification with West Germany (FRG) on 3 October 1990. Until 1989, it was generally vie ...

"Memorial to the Victims of Fascism and Militarism" at the Neue Wache in East Berlin was removed after the 1990

German reunification German reunification () was the process of re-establishing Germany as a single sovereign state, which began on 9 November 1989 and culminated on 3 October 1990 with the dissolution of the East Germany, German Democratic Republic and the int ...

. In 1993, the space was redesigned without a flame and rededicated as the "Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Victims of War and Tyranny". * Llama de la Libertad lit by

Augusto Pinochet Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte (25 November 1915 – 10 December 2006) was a Chilean military officer and politician who was the dictator of Military dictatorship of Chile, Chile from 1973 to 1990. From 1973 to 1981, he was the leader ...

in 1975 in to commemorate the

1973 Chilean coup d'etat Events January * January 1 – The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark 1973 enlargement of the European Communities, enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union. * January 14 - The 16-0 19 ...

against

Salvador Allende Salvador Guillermo Allende Gossens (26 June 1908 – 11 September 1973) was a Chilean socialist politician who served as the 28th president of Chile from 1970 until Death of Salvador Allende, his death in 1973 Chilean coup d'état, 1973. As a ...

. It was extinguished in 2004. * A high Eternal flame monument was erected in Belgrade in 2000, to commemorate the victims of 1999

NATO bombing of Yugoslavia The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) carried out an aerial bombing campaign against the Serbia and Montenegro, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War. The air strikes lasted from 24 March 1999 to 10 June 1999. The bombing ...

. The flame was extinguished just months later, after the

overthrow of Slobodan Milošević The Overthrow of Slobodan Milošević began in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia after the general election on 24 September 2000 and culminated in the downfall of Slobodan Milošević's government on 5 October 2000. As such, it is commonly ...

. * A lighthouse-like memorial in the suburb of Eira in

Helsinki Helsinki () is the Capital city, capital and most populous List of cities and towns in Finland, city in Finland. It is on the shore of the Gulf of Finland and is the seat of southern Finland's Uusimaa region. About people live in the municipali ...

Finland Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, ...

was originally erected in honour of the Finnish seamen and

seafaring Seamanship is the skill, art, competence (human resources), competence, and knowledge of operating a ship, boat or other craft on water. The'' Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford Dictionary'' states that seamanship is "The skill, techniques, o ...

. It later became a symbol of those who have perished at the sea, the

Baltic Sea The Baltic Sea is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that is enclosed by the countries of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and the North European Plain, North and Central European Plain regions. It is the ...

in particular. A minor controversy arose when the flame was temporarily extinguished, to conserve gas, technically meaning the flame was not an eternal one. It had been relit but in the middle 2010s, the city of Helsinki grew tired of having to relight the flame and decided to put it out for good.

Current man-made eternal flames

Europe

Belarus

Minsk Minsk (, ; , ) is the capital and largest city of Belarus, located on the Svislach (Berezina), Svislach and the now subterranean Nyamiha, Niamiha rivers. As the capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is the administra ...

, at the Victory Square, lit in 1961. * Baranovichi, at the memorial of the fallen during the Great Patriotic War, lit in 1964. * Brest, near the ruins of the Engineering Administration, lit in 1972.

Belgium

Brussels Brussels, officially the Brussels-Capital Region, (All text and all but one graphic show the English name as Brussels-Capital Region.) is a Communities, regions and language areas of Belgium#Regions, region of Belgium comprising #Municipalit ...

, at the foot of the Congress Column, surmounting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo Sarajevo ( ), ; ''see Names of European cities in different languages (Q–T)#S, names in other languages'' is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of 2 ...

, the Sarajevo eternal flame (Vječna vatra), in memory of the military and civilian victims of the Second World War.

Bulgaria

Sofia Sofia is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Bulgaria, largest city of Bulgaria. It is situated in the Sofia Valley at the foot of the Vitosha mountain, in the western part of the country. The city is built west of the Is ...

, at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier * Pazardzhik, at the Flower of Eternal Flame

Croatia

Zagreb Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...

, in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in memory of the police officers killed in the

Croatian War of Independence The Croatian War of Independence) and (rarely) "War in Krajina" ( sr-Cyrl-Latn, Рат у Крајини, Rat u Krajini) are used. was an armed conflict fought in Croatia from 1991 to 1995 between Croats, Croat forces loyal to the Governmen ...

Sisak Sisak (; also known by other alternative names) is a city in central Croatia, spanning the confluence of the Kupa, Sava and Odra rivers, southeast of the Croatian capital Zagreb, and is usually considered to be where the Posavina (Sava basin ...

, in Dr. Franjo Tuđman Park, in front of the city market and swimming pool, in memory of soldiers fallen in the

France

* Paris, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the archway at the

Arc de Triomphe The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, often called simply the Arc de Triomphe, is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, France, standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly named Plac ...

, which has burned since 1921, and continuously since 1998, in memory of all who died in World War I. It was briefly extinguished during the 1998 World Cup by a drunk tourist. *

Arras Arras ( , ; ; historical ) is the prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department, which forms part of the region of Hauts-de-France; before the reorganization of 2014 it was in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The historic centre of the Artois region, with a ...

, at the

Notre Dame de Lorette Notre Dame de Lorette (), also known as Ablain St.-Nazaire French Military Cemetery, is the world's largest French military cemetery.Berlin Berlin ( ; ) is the Capital of Germany, capital and largest city of Germany, by both area and List of cities in Germany by population, population. With 3.7 million inhabitants, it has the List of cities in the European Union by population withi ...

, at the

Theodor-Heuss-Platz Theodor-Heuss-Platz (; colloquially called Theo by locals, ) is a large city square in the Westend district of Berlin, Germany. It is named after Theodor Heuss (1884–1963), the first President of Germany after World War II. Location The ...

Munich Munich is the capital and most populous city of Bavaria, Germany. As of 30 November 2024, its population was 1,604,384, making it the third-largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg. Munich is the largest city in Germany that is no ...

, in the Square of the Victims of National Socialism (''Platz der Opfer des Nationalsozialismus'')

Hungary

Budapest Budapest is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns of Hungary, most populous city of Hungary. It is the List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits, tenth-largest city in the European Union by popul ...

, in 2nd district

Imre Nagy Imre Nagy ( ; ; 7 June 1896 – 16 June 1958) was a Hungarian communist politician who served as Council of Ministers of the Hungarian People's Republic, Chairman of the Council of Ministers (''de facto'' Prime Minister of Hungary, Prime Minis ...

Square the "Flame Of The Revolution", commemorating the revolutionaries of the 1956 uprising against control by the Soviet Union. *

, at the corner of Báthory Street and Hold Street burns Batthyány's sanctuary lamp.

Ireland

Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...

, at the junction of Amiens St and Memorial Road, the Universal Links on Human Rights by

Amnesty International Amnesty International (also referred to as Amnesty or AI) is an international non-governmental organization focused on human rights, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom. The organization says that it has more than ten million members a ...

, honouring

prisoners of conscience A prisoner of conscience (POC) is anyone imprisoned because of their race, sexual orientation, religion, or political views. The term also refers to those who have been imprisoned or persecuted for the nonviolent expression of their conscienti ...

. * Dublin, at Merrion Square Park, the National Memorial to members of the Defence Forces burns to honour those who have lost their lives in the service of the Irish State. *

, a perpetual flame burns in the town square. It was formerly housed, since 1993, at Solas Bhríde, a sanctuary run by the Catholic Brigidine sisters. The modern flame rekindles the original one burned by the sisters of Saint Brigit in Kildare, which was extinguished during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. *

New Ross New Ross (, formerly ) is a town in southwest County Wexford, Republic of Ireland, Ireland, on the River Barrow on the border with County Kilkenny, northeast of Waterford. In 2022, it had a population of 8,610, making it the fourth-largest t ...

, at a new monument to Irish emigrants. On June 18, 2013, a torch from the eternal flame at the

John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), also known as JFK, was the 35th president of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He was the first Roman Catholic and youngest person elected p ...

grave at

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is the largest cemetery in the United States National Cemetery System, one of two maintained by the United States Army. More than 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington County, Virginia. ...

was used to light this flame.

Italy

* Madonna del Ghisallo, near

Lake Como Lake Como ( , ) also known as Lario, is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy. It has an area of , making it the third-largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. At over deep, it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe. ...

, for all cyclists who have died. * Rome, on the

Altare della Patria The Victor Emmanuel II National Monument (), also known as the Vittoriano or for synecdoche Altare della Patria ("Altar of the Fatherland"), is a large national monument built between 1885 and 1935 to honour Victor Emmanuel II, the first king ...

, for the Unknown Soldier.

Latvia

Riga Riga ( ) is the capital, Primate city, primate, and List of cities and towns in Latvia, largest city of Latvia. Home to 591,882 inhabitants (as of 2025), the city accounts for a third of Latvia's total population. The population of Riga Planni ...

, at Brothers' Cemetery or Cemetery of the Brethren (''Brāļu Kapi''), a military cemetery and national monument memorializing thousands of Latvian soldiers who were killed between 1915 and 1920 in World War I and the Latvian War of Independence. The memorial was built between 1924 and 1936, and designed by sculptor Kārlis Zāle.

Lithuania

Kaunas Kaunas (; ) is the second-largest city in Lithuania after Vilnius, the fourth largest List of cities in the Baltic states by population, city in the Baltic States and an important centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaun ...

, at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier, in the Square of Unity in front of the

Vytautas the Great War Museum The Vytautas the Great War Museum () is a museum in Kaunas, Lithuania. It was built in Art Deco and early functionalism style. Originally it was established in 1921 by Vladas Nagevičius but later it was decided to move to a larger location. A ...

Luxembourg

Luxembourg City Luxembourg (; ; ), also known as Luxembourg City ( or ; ; or ), is the capital city of Luxembourg and the Communes of Luxembourg, country's most populous commune. Standing at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers in southern Luxe ...

, near the Place du Saint-Esprit, in memory of all Luxembourgers fallen in World War II.

Malta

Floriana Floriana ( or ''Il-Floriana''), also known by its title Borgo Vilhena, is a Floriana Lines, fortified town in the Port Region, Malta, Port Region area of Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. It has a population of 2,205 as of March 2014 ...

, inaugurated in 2012. Two eternal flames are placed beside the

War Memorial A war memorial is a building, monument, statue, or other edifice to celebrate a war or victory, or (predominating in modern times) to commemorate those who died or were injured in a war. Symbolism Historical usage It has ...

, dedicated to all the Maltese dead of World War I and World War II.

Moldova

Chișinău Chișinău ( , , ; formerly known as Kishinev) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Moldova, largest city of Moldova. The city is Moldova's main industrial and commercial centre, and is located in the middle of the coun ...

, a flame dedicated to Chișinău's unknown soldiers who died in World War II at the Eternity Memorial Complex.

Netherlands

Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , ; ; ) is the capital of the Netherlands, capital and Municipalities of the Netherlands, largest city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It has a population of 933,680 in June 2024 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the City Re ...

, at the Hollandsche Schouwburg, in memorial of the Dutch Jewish people who were killed in World War II * Maastricht, at the Market Square, a statue of Jan Pieter Minckeleers, a Dutch scientist and inventor who discovered illuminating gas (coal gas) and was the inventor of gas lighting. * The Hague, at the Peace Palace, dedicated to the idea of international peace * Oosterbeek, at the Airborne Museum 'Hartenstein', Airborne Museum Hartenstein, in memorial to those who died in the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden

Norway

* Oslo, inaugurated on June 9, 2001 at The Pier of Honour, Port of Oslo by Sri Chinmoy and installed permanently at the Aker Brygge complex in 2002. By 2013 however, it was removed from Aker Brygge and reinstalled at Holmenkollen.

Poland

* Warsaw, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Warsaw, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Portugal

* Batalha, Portugal, Batalha, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Portugal), Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (inside the Batalha Monastery), honoring the Portuguese dead in the World War I, lit April 6, 1921 * Lisbon, at the Monument to the Overseas War Combatants, honoring the dead in the Portuguese Colonial War, Portuguese Overseas War, lit January 15, 1994

Russia

* Moscow, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Moscow), Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden to honor the dead of the Great Patriotic War. A second one at Poklonnaya Hill, Victory Park, also built to honor the dead. * Saint Petersburg has two main sites with eternal flames. The first is at the Monument to the Fighters of the Revolution, on the Field of Mars (Saint Petersburg), Field of Mars, in memory of those who died during the Bolshevik Revolution. The second is at Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery in memory of those who perished in World War II during the Siege of Leningrad. At Victory Square, Saint Petersburg, Victory Square, several flames can be seen at the Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad, in commemoration of the victims and survivors of the Siege of Leningrad. * Volgograd has two eternal flames. The first is located at Mamayev Kurgan in the Hall of the Warrior Glory in tribute to all those who died Battle of Stalingrad, defending the city from 1942 to 1943. The second is located at The Square of the Fallen Fighters on the monument of those who died defending in the Russian Civil War, Civil and Great Patriotic War * Kursk has two eternal flames. One is located at the war memorial and the other close to the Triumphal Arch. * Saratov has two eternal flames: in the Theatre Square and in the Victory Park (Saratov), Victory Park. * Tambov * Novokuznetsk has an eternal flame at the Heroes Boulevard. * Tolyatti, at the Obelisk of Glory (Tolyatti), Obelisk of Glory, lit in 1978. * Samara, Russia, Samara, at the Obelisk of Glory. * Tver has an obelisk and an eternal flame nearby, located on Ploschad Pobedy near the confluence of the rivers :ru:Тьмака, T'maka and Volga, to honor the Soviet soldiers who fought against Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War (term), Great Patriotic War (:ru:Великая Отечественная война). * Yekaterinburg, on Kommunarov Square, where dead soldiers were buried in a common grave in 1919. An eternal flame was lit at the site in 1959. * Omsk, an eternal fire was lit in 1967 on Memorial Square, in honour of fallen soldiers in

. * Severodvinsk * Ufa has two eternal flames. The first was lit in 1967, honouring soldiers, who fell fighting for the Soviet Union. The second was lit in 1980 in Victory Park, honouring Alexander Matrosov and Minnigali Gubaidullin. * Salavat, Russia, Salavat, opened in 1981. Honors Salavat citizens, who died during the Great Patriotic War. * Arkhangelsk, in honor of fallen Northerners in 1941–1945 * Sterlitamak * Biysk * Bryansk * Kovrov * Kolchugino, located on Lenin Square * Kaspyisk * Mahachkala * Kaliningrad * Petrozavodsk * Penza has two eternal flames. One at Victory Square, and one next to the palace of nautical sport. * Anapa * Sochi * Novy Urengoy * Sergiyev Posad * Vologda * Tula, Russia, Tula * Oryol, an eternal flame was lit in 1967 on Tankman's Square. * Inozemtsevo * Murmansk

Serbia

* Belgrade, the Eternal Flame (Belgrade), Eternal Flame in the Park of Friendship, New Belgrade, Park of Friendship in Ušće (Belgrade), Ušće, in memory of the military and civilian victims of the

Spain

* Barcelona, Catalonia, at the Fossar de les Moreres (adjacent to the Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar (Barcelona), Santa Maria del Mar), honouring the Catalans buried there, who died defending Barcelona from those loyal to Philip V on the Siege of Barcelona (1713–1714), siege of 1714. The torch with the eternal flame was inaugurated in 2001. * Madrid, at the Plaza de la Lealtad. The Monumento a los Caídos por España (Madrid), Monumento a los Caídos por España honours all those who have died fighting for Spain. It was Originally built in 1840 to honour those who fought against Napoleonic forces during the Peninsular War (1808-1814) but had Additions made in 1985 and the eternal flame was introduced alongside the monument. Following the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, COVID-19 pandemic, the Mayor of Madrid inaugurated on 15 May another eternal flame at Plaza de Cibeles, in memory of those who died during the pandemic.

Switzerland

* Näfels, at the St. Hilarius Parish Church of Näfels, St. Hilarius Parish Church, in atonement for a 14th-century murder.

Transnistria

* Tiraspol, a flame dedicated to losses of the War of Transnistria.

Ukraine

* Kyiv, in the Glory Park at the Glory Obelisk and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Kyiv), Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, honoring the dead of

. * Chernihiv, in the Glory Memorial in Boldyni Hory, Boldyni Hills. * Vinnytsia, the Glory memorial. * Odesa, a monument to the unknown sailor.

United Kingdom

* London, at the New Scotland Yard. The flame commemorates, as the inscription notes, "those who have lost their lives in the service of the Metropolitan Police". * Liverpool, at the Anfield stadium, in memorial to those who died in the Hillsborough disaster. * The 'Peace flame' in Derry, at the 'Peace Garden, Derry, Peace Garden', to symbolise the renewed hope and peace created in the city in the post-The Troubles, Troubles era. Opened in 2013 by Martin Luther King III. The flame was extinguished during 2017-2018 by a group of vandals. The flame has since been re-lit.

North America

Canada

* The Flame of Hope (diabetes), Flame of Hope in London, Ontario, at 442 Adelaide Street, where Frederick Banting did theoretical work leading to the discovery of human insulin. It will remain lit until diabetes is cured. It was lit by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1989. * The Centennial Flame in Ottawa, Ontario, first lit in 1967, is in the spirit of an eternal flame; however, it is annually extinguished for cleaning and then relit. It commemorates the Canadian Centennial, first hundred years of Canadian Confederation. * The Centennial Flame on the grounds of the Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton, Alberta commemorates the same milestone as its counterpart in Ottawa. The flame burns from a metallic cauldron and is located south along the walkway from the south entrance of the Legislature between the south side of Legislature Building Road NW and Fortway Drive NW. Another eternal flame is located on the grounds of the Legislature honours those fallen in the line of duty working for the province. * The Eternal Flame in the Nathan Phillips Square#Peace Garden, Peace Garden in Nathan Phillips Square in front of Toronto City Hall. It was lit by Pope John Paul II in September 1984 and symbolizes the hope and regeneration of humanity. * The 2004 Olympic flame remains burning in a memorial park in the Greek town area of Toronto.

United States

* Alabama: Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville in honor of those who made great sacrifices to serve their country. * Pennsylvania: Philadelphia in honour of those who perished in the American Revolutionary War, American War of Independence. The flame has been extinguished at times for years due to poor maintenance. * California: Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles, where the Peace Flame directly taken from the torch at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan is kept. The flame was brought to Los Angeles in 1989 by Mayor Tom Bradley (American politician), Tom Bradley and has been maintained by the resident priests ever since. University of California, Santa Barbara, houses an eternal flame on its campus in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Auburn, California, Auburn, on the corner of Fulweiler St. and Nevada St. depicts a soldier carrying a fallen comrade. The statue is named "Why". Redlands, California, Redlands, in Jennie Davis Park (corner of Redlands Blvd. and New York St.), at the Veterans' Memorial. La Mirada, California, La Mirada, in front of City Hall to honor the residents who have given their life for their country. Pico Rivera, California, Pico Rivera, in front of the civic center, to honor Pico Rivera veterans who died in the line of duty. * Connecticut: New Britain, Connecticut, New Britain, at the National Iwo Jima Memorial to honor the memory of US servicemen who gave their lives at Iwo Jima. * Florida: Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville, at the Veterans Memorial Wall there is an eternal flame to honor those who served. Miami, at Bayfront Park on Biscayne Boulevard, is the Torch of Friendship for

* Georgia: Decatur, Georgia, Decatur, at the square downtown, for the Korean War, World War II, and the Vietnam War; Macon, Georgia, Macon, at the City Hall building, to honor Macon-born war veterans; Monroe, Georgia, Monroe, at the Monroe Historic Courthouse, to honor Walton County veterans; Savannah at the Chatham County Courthouse dedicated to the "Glory of God" and honors veterans, specifically Captain Willie O. Sasser, U.S. Air Force; Atlanta, at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, King Center, for assassinated civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. * Hawaii: Honolulu, to honor victims of the September 11 attacks. * Illinois: Chicago, at Daley Plaza, to honor those who perished in World War II, ignited August 22, 1972, by Albina Nance, president of the Illinois Gold Star Mothers. Highland Park, Illinois, Highland Park, in the Freedom's Sacrifice veterans memorial located on the corner of St. John Ave and Central Avenue to remember the soldiers from Highland Park that gave their lives in the name of freedom. Naperville, Illinois, Naperville, on the city's Riverwalk to honor victims of September 11 attacks. Loves Park, Illinois, Loves Park, in Holdridge Park on North Second Street to honor all veterans. Bowman eternal flame

* Indiana: Highland, Lake County, Indiana, Highland, the Highland-Wicker Park Veterans Memorial in Wicker Park on Indianapolis Boulevard and Ridge Road, erected to honor all veterans. * Louisiana: Saint Martinville, Louisiana, Saint Martinville, at the Acadian Memorial, symbolizing the survival of exiled Acadians as south Louisiana Cajuns. * Maryland: Emmitsburg, Maryland, Emmitsburg, at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, on the grounds of the National Fire Academy * Massachusetts: Springfield, Massachusetts, Springfield, at Forest Park (Springfield, Massachusetts), Forest Park, John F. Kennedy Memorial Flame to honor the memory of President Kennedy. The flame was lit November 22, 1964 on the first anniversary of his death. * Michigan: Farmington Hills, Michigan, Farmington Hills, at the Holocaust Memorial Center in honor of those who perished during the Holocaust. Flint, Michigan, Flint, in Downtown Flint, across from the Durant Hotel, to honor

. Grand Haven, Michigan, Grand Haven, at the Veterans memorial plaza to honor American veterans of all wars. * Mississippi: Mississippi State University, the eternal flame of education * Missouri: Downtown, Saint Louis, Missouri, Saint Louis, to commemorate the founding of the American Legion in 1919 by Theodore Roosevelt Jr. * Nevada: Las Vegas, at the Allegiant Stadium and Las Vegas Raiders headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, Henderson to honor the late Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. * New Mexico: Santa Fe, New Mexico, Santa Fe, on South Capitol Plaza next to the Bataan Memorial Building, honoring the men of the 200th Coast Artillery of the National Guard who died on the Bataan Death March * New York: New York City, at Ground Zero#World Trade Center, Ground Zero, lit by Mayor of New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg on the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks upon the financial district of the city; St. Clare's Church (Staten Island, New York), St. Clare's Church, honoring 29 parishioners who died during the September 11 attacks. Lewiston (village), New York, Lewiston]
Veteran's Circle of Honor Memorial
that reads, "America's flame burns brightly, fueled by the courage and sacrifice of those who have defended our freedoms." * North Dakota: Grand Forks, at the University of North Dakota, Old Main Memorial Sphere erected on the site where the university's first building once stood. * Ohio: Cincinnati at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Represents the candles that were placed in the windows of Underground Railroad Supporters. Canton, Ohio, Canton, Garden Center, incorporated into the city's memorial to the memory of President John F. Kennedy, dedicated in 1966. Steubenville, Ohio, Steubenville, at the Tomb of the Unborn Child, the gravesite of seven aborted fetuses, on the campus of the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Columbus, Ohio, Columbus, at Battelle Riverfront Park, to honor fallen members of the Columbus Fire Department. Clinton, Ohio, Clinton, at Ohio Veterans Memorial Park. The monument is made up of a large sitting area that is surrounded by benches, a four tier waterfall, a fifty foot wide pond, a black granite POW/MIA monument, an inverted Vietnam War helmet with the eternal flame and a cast steel POW/MIA seal. Mount Vernon, Ohio, Mount Vernon, on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University to honor the commitment to learning and the expansion of knowledge. * Eastlake, Ohio: eternal flame located at the boulevard of 500 flags in honor of all those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. Sits beside a piece of steel beam from the World Trade Towers. * Oklahoma: Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tulsa, atop the Prayer Tower, which represents the baptism of the Holy Spirit. * Pennsylvania: Gettysburg Battlefield, in memory of the dead of the American Civil War, first lit by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1938; Flight 93 National Memorial, Shanksville, to honor the crew and passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11 attacks in their efforts to thwart the hijacking. Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, site of the city's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Philadelphia), Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution and above the mass grave of thousands of Revolutionary War soldiers. * South Carolina: Bowman, South Carolina, Bowman, lit in 1987 in honor and memory of the community's residents who died in World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. *Tennessee: The Cherokee maintained a fire at their seat of government, and carried coals to the

. Coals from that fire were used to relight the eternal flame at

, the last seat of the independent

. The Cherokee People Eternal Flame, located on the Qualla Boundary in

, is another example of a flame first lit on the Oklahoma Cherokee Reservation and carried as hot coals back to the homeland. Memphis, Tennessee, Memphis, at the grave of Elvis Presley at his home Graceland. * Virginia: John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame in

, lit by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy on November 25, 1963, during the assassinated president's state funeral; Newport News Victory Arch, commemorating American servicemen and women.; Huntington Park (Newport News) Vietnam Veterans War Memorial dedicated in 1992; Lynchburg, Virginia, Lynchburg, gravesite of Jerry Falwell at Liberty University. * Washington, D.C.: at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, first lit in 1993 by President Bill Clinton and noted Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel.

Mexico

* El Ángel, The Column of Independence, México City in memory of the heroes of the Mexican Independence War.

Nicaragua

* Tomb of Carlos Fonseca in the Central Park of Managua. Monumento a la Bandera 2

South America

Argentina

* In the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. It was lit on August 17, 1947 to honor the tomb of General José de San Martín, whose remains rest inside it; and the soldiers who fought and perished in the wars for Argentina, Chile and Perú's independence from the Spanish crown. * In the National Flag Memorial (Argentina) in Rosario, Santa Fe. * In the 'Monument to the dead of the Malvinas War' (Caidos en Malvinas) in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires.

Brazil

* In the Museu Paulista, Independence Park, São Paulo, the ''Pira da Liberdade'' marks the site of the independence of Brazil * Outside the Pantheon of Fatherland and Freedom, Tancredo Neves, Brasília, on top of a tower built on the diagonal, burns an eternal flame which represents the freedom of the people and the country's independence. * In São Sepé, central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Boqueirão Ranch has a shed that houses a fire that has been lit since the shed was built in 1800. The Simões Pires family, in its sixth generation, currently maintains the bonfire still lit today.

Chile

* The Llama de la Libertad, which commemorated the 1973 Chilean coup d'état. It was extinguished in 2004 due to budget cuts. * In Punta Arenas, to commemorate the heroes of the Battle of La Concepción. It was extinguished in 2013 due to natural gas shortages.

Colombia

* In the Battle of Boyacá Memorial in Boyacá Department, Boyacá.

Venezuela

* In the Battle of Carabobo Memorial in Carabobo state, Carabobo.

Australia and New Zealand

* In the ANZAC War Memorial, Hyde Park in Sydney. * In the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne, Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. * In the Shrine of Remembrance, Brisbane, Shrine of Remembrance in ANZAC Square, Brisbane, ANZAC Square in Brisbane, Queensland. * At the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. * At the state War Memorial in Kings Park, Western Australia. * In the Carillon War Memorial located at Bathurst, New South Wales. *At the Anzac Memorial, ANZAC Park, Townsville. *At the Napier War Memorial Centre in Napier, New Zealand.

Asia

Armenia

* Yerevan, in the center of the Tsitsernakaberd, Armenian Genocide Memorial. Memorializing the loss of at least 1.5 million Armenians during the Armenian genocide in 1915.

Azerbaijan

* Baku, at the Martyrs' Lane in memory of the military and civilian victims of the Black January. * Ateshgah of Baku.

Bangladesh

* Dhaka, at the Swadhinata Stambha commentating the martyrs of the Bangladesh Liberation War and the precise location of the signing of the Pakistani Instrument of Surrender, Instrument of Surrender. * Chittagong, at Chandranath Temple.

Georgia

* Tbilisi, at the roundabout and underpass of Hero's Square.

India

* Raj Ghat, New Delhi, Delhi, in memory of Mahatma Gandhi at the site of his cremation. The date that the flame was first lit is unknown. * Amar Jawan Jyoti, New Delhi, at the India Gate, first lit in 1971 to honor 90,000 soldiers who died in World War I and later conflicts. On 21 January 2022, the eternal flame was merged with an eternal flame at the National War Memorial (India), National War Memorial. * Kargil War Memorial, Dras, Ladakh, the eternal flame was lit to commemorate the Indian victory in the 1999 Kargil War and to pay homage to martyrs. * Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to remember the victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami, unveiled in 2005. * Dwarka Mai Mosque, Shirdi, Maharashtra, lit by Sai Baba of Shirdi in the late 1800s. * Some ancient temples in India are known to have eternal flames which have burnt for centuries. Most established temples (such as Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala, Venkateswara Temple, Mantralayam, Jawalamukhi, Jwala Ji etc.) have eternal flames.

Indonesia

* Api Abadi Mrapen (Mrapen Eternal Fire), Grobogan, Central Java. It was used as a torch flame source for the 1st GANEFO. It died out on the 25th of September 2020, possibly as a result of nearby mining activity. * Api Abadi Sungai Siring (Siring River Eternal Fire), Samarinda, East Borneo. * Blue lava, Api Biru (Blue Fire), Ijen, Banyuwangi, East Java. This phenomenon comes from the ignition of sulfur continuously erupting to the surface. Its Electric blue (color), electric-blue flames are visible only at night. Kayangan Api Bojonegoro

* Api Abadi Kayangan Api (Kayangan Api Eternal Fire), Bojonegoro, East Java. This site has had an eternal flame since the era of the Majapahit. * Api Abadi Bekucuk (Bekucuk Eternal Fire), East Java. * Api Tak Kunjung Padam, Pamekasan Regency, Madura. * Tugu Api Semangat Indonesia Tidak Pernah Padam (Monument of the Undying Spirit of Indonesia), at Jenderal Soedirman Building, Ministry of Defense (Indonesia), Central Jakarta, Jakarta.

Iran

* Fire Temple of Yazd, Yazd Atash Behram, Yazd, a Zoroastrianism, Zoroastrian fire temple.

Israel

* Tel Aviv, at Rabin Square, for assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin * In Jerusalem at Yad Vashem, the national Holocaust-Memorial of Israel * Near Jerusalem at Yad Kennedy, Israel's memorial to U.S. President

Japan

* At the Buddhist temple Daishō-in (Miyajima), Daishō-in, at Mount Misen, Itsukushima, where the flame is said to have been burning since AD 806, for more than 1,200 years * Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, The remaining fire from the atomic bomb explosion that was dropped by the US. remains burning since 1945. It is now a peace symbols, symbol of peace and to remain lit until all nuclear disarmament, nuclear weapons in the world are abolished.

Kazakhstan

* Almaty, the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in Panfilov Park (Almaty), Panfilov Park.

Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek 03-2016 img50 Eternal flame at Victory Square

* Bishkek, the Victory (Pobedy) Monument on Victory Square, Bishkek, Victory Square.

Nepal

* Eternal Peace Flame Lumbini, birthplace of Gautama Buddha, since 1986.

Philippines

* Eternal Flame of Freedom in Corregidor. * Eternal Flame on the grave of former president Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

South Korea

* At the Peace Gate at Olympic Park, Seoul, South Korea.

Turkmenistan

* Türkmenbaşy, Turkmenistan, Türkmenbaşy, the Victory Monument.

Africa

Kenya

*Nairobi, Kenya: The Eternal Flame of Uhuru Gardens.

Ghana

* Accra, Ghana: The Eternal Flame of African Liberation.

Zimbabwe

* Harare, Zimbabwe: An eternal flame burns atop the Kopje to commemorate Lancaster House Agreement, independence.

South Africa

* Pretoria, South Africa: An eternal flame burns in the Voortrekker Monument, since 1938. * Johannesburg, South Africa: The flame of democracy burns on Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, Constitution Hill, since 2011. * Cape Town, South Africa: The Flame of Remembrance for the fallen soldiers and heroes of the struggle burns at the Parliament.

Caribbean

Trinidad and Tobago

* Port of Spain: At The Red House (Trinidad and Tobago), The Red House, in memory of the lives lost in the 1990 attempted coup.

Cuba

* Havana: Memorial to the Soviet Internationalist Soldier. * Havana: Museum of the Revolution (Cuba), Museum of the Revolution in the Granma (yacht), Granma complex. * Santa Clara, Cuba, Santa Clara: Inside the Che Guevara Mausoleum. * Santa Clara, Cuba, Santa Clara: In the cemetery beside the Che Guevara Mausoleum complex.

Naturally fueled flames

Fueled by natural gas

* At Yanartaş in the Olympos (Lycia), Olympos National Park in Turkey, natural gas burns from many vents on the side of the mountain. It is thought to be the location of ancient Mount Chimaera. This is the largest venting of possibly abiogenic methane on Earth's terrestrial surface, and has been burning for over 2500 years. The flames were used in ancient times as a navigation beacon. * The Eternal Flame Falls, featuring a small natural gas-fueled flame that burns behind a waterfall, can be found in Chestnut Ridge Park in Western New York, US. * Flaming Geyser State Park in Washington (state), Washington, United States. * Focul Viu - Lopătari in Lopatari, Buzau, Romania. * An area in India's Great Himalayas, worshiped by Hindus as ''Jwala Devi'' Temple, or Jawalamukhi#Jwalamukhi Devi Temple, Jwalamukhi Devi Temple in Himachal Pradesh produces natural spontaneous flames and is said to have been doing so for thousands of years. * The Darvaza gas crater fire, near Derweze, Turkmenistan, is a large hole leaking natural gas that has been burning since 1971. * An eternal flame near Kirkuk, Iraq, known to the locals as Baba Gurgur, is said to have been burning for thousands of years. * An eternal flame is found at the Yanar Dag mud volcano in Azerbaijan. * In the Central Javanese village of Manggarmas in Indonesia, the Mrapen is a famous natural gas-fueled eternal flame originally ignited sometime before the 15th century era of the Demak Sultanate. Before September 2020, it had never died out despite intense tropical rain and winds. It is said that the sacred kris heirloom dagger of Demak Sultanate was forged in this flame. The Mrapen flame, considered sacred in Javanese culture, is used in an annual Vesak, Waisak Buddhist ceremony, brought to Mendut and Borobudur temple. It was also used in several torch relays for sport events such as Pekan Olahraga Nasional held every four years, 1997 Southeast Asian Games, 2008 Asian Beach Games, 2011 Southeast Asian Games, and 2018 Asian Games. * The Muktinath#Shaktism, Muktinath Temple in Nepal is worshipped for its sacred flame fueled by a natural gas seep at a small spring of water: the four ancient elements occurring in one location. * In Murchison, New Zealand, a natural flame has been burning in the forest since it was lit by hunters in 1922. Access is facilitated by a tour company that serves tea and pancakes cooked on the fire.

Fueled by coal seams

* A coal seam-fueled eternal flame in Australia known as "Burning Mountain" is claimed to be the world's longest burning fire, at 6,000 years old. * A coal mine fire in Centralia, Pennsylvania, Centralia, Pennsylvania, Centralia mine fire, has been burning beneath the borough since 1962. * A Jharia#Coal field fire, coal field fire in Jharia, Jharkhand, India, is known to have been burning for almost a century. * The Laurel Run mine fire started burning in 1915. * The New Straitsville, Ohio#History, New Straitsville mine fire started burning in 1884.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Eternal Flame Eternal flames, Types of monuments and memorials