Hill of Crosses

Kryžių Kalnas

Lithuania

The Hill of Crosses is a famous pilgrimage site located in Lithuania, about 12 kilometers north of the city of Šiauliai. The hill is known for its collection of thousands of crosses, which have been placed there over the past two centuries.

The exact origins of the Hill of Crosses are unknown, but it is believed that the first crosses were placed there in the early 1800s. At that time, Lithuania was under Russian rule, and many Lithuanians were not allowed to openly practice their Catholic faith. As a result, they began to secretly place crosses on the hill as a sign of their devotion.

Over time, the hill became a symbol of Lithuanian resistance to foreign rule and a place of pilgrimage for Catholics in the country. Despite repeated attempts by the Russian authorities to destroy the crosses, they continued to be replaced by new ones, and the hill became increasingly popular among the faithful.

During the Soviet occupation of Lithuania from 1944 to 1990, the hill was bulldozed several times, but the crosses were always replaced. The hill became a symbol of peaceful resistance to Soviet rule, and it was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1993.

Today, the Hill of Crosses is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Lithuania, with thousands of visitors coming to see the crosses each year. The crosses come in all shapes and sizes, from simple wooden crosses to elaborate metal structures. Many of them are adorned with religious symbols, and some are inscribed with messages of hope and prayer.