We have considered the three-dimensional wake behind a cross formed by two intersecting flat plates using direct numerical simulations. The Reynolds number based on the uniform inflow velocity U0 and the plate width d was 1000. The vortex shedding in the wake was totally suppressed in a 4d wide intersection region and this gave rise to a massive zone of recirculating flow. Quasi two-dimensional vortex shedding with a primary frequency 0.165 U0/d occurred behind the outer branches more than 7d from the intersection. The wake behind the outer branches of the crossing plates closely resembled the wake behind a single flat plate. However, the wake flow in an intermediate region (located between the intersection region and the outer branches) was affected by persistent secondary flows. Further, shear-layer (K-H) instabilities have been observed in this region. The mean wake structure revealed the formation of four symmetrically positioned pairs of swirling vortices close to the intersection corner next to the plate's edges. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.