The Curious Hill Of Crosses In Lithuania

The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania is one of the most curious places that you will be able to visit in this Baltic country. It is an unusual place where hundreds and hundreds of crosses are piled up as a symbol of the resistance of a people who wanted to be free. Without a doubt, it is quite a sight to behold. Will you join us to meet him?

The origin of the Lithuanian Hill of Crosses

The origin of this unusual place is a bit uncertain. An ancient legend tells of its appearance during the Middle Ages  after a battle fought against the knights of the Teutonic Order. A spontaneous appearance that would remember the fallen during said battle.

But it will be during the 19th century that Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses really begins to take shape. And all as a form of rebellion against Russia, which was already beginning to seize these territories.

In this way, the mountain began to be filled with crosses, something that increased after the Second World War, when Lithuania became part of the former USSR. They say that every night the crosses sprouted from the grass, and despite the Russians’ attempts to eliminate them, more crosses appeared every night.

The hill suffered fires, collapsed with machinery, an attempt was made to turn it into a rubble dump and was declared a rabies infected area. And they even considered building a swamp in the area to flood it, but none of these attempts by Russia managed to end the faith of the Lithuanian people and their desire for vindication.

In 1993, after the long-awaited independence, Pope John Paul II celebrated a mass there and placed a cross. This fact increased the popularity of this space and placed it on the map of holy places and pilgrimage.

What can you see in this Lithuanian mountain

Obviously, you will see crosses. But there is also a great feeling for a people who fought to be free and who never gave up. In 1991 Lithuania finally got its independence from Russia and the crosses kept increasing and continuing and continuing to grow.

The hill on which they are located is divided into sectors by means of a series of paths that allow you to walk along it. Thus, when you visit it, you will see that you can walk around its entire contour and also walk through its interior, thanks to some small corridors and wooden steps.

You will find crosses of all types, sizes and eras. There are stone, wood, metal, sober or elaborate; nailed to the ground or hanging from one another. Some have inscriptions and others with small sculptures and figures.

A stone Christ stands out at the entrance who welcomes visitors with open arms in the shape of a cross. Everyone comes there to put up a cross, either to give thanks or to make a request to God. The Lithuanian people are very religious and the Hill of Crosses seems to have no end.

Tips for visiting the Hill of Crosses

To get to the Lithuanian Hill of Crosses it is necessary to go by private vehicle, taxi or local bus. The latter leaves from the main station in the city of Šiauliai, located about twelve kilometers up the hill. There you have to take one of the routes that link the city with Joniškis and get off at the Domantai stop to walk about two kilometers.

If you go by private vehicle you can find a private parking at a very low price in the visitor center. In the latter you will find more about the history and meaning of this curious space.

Access to the hill is free and in the visitor center you can buy souvenirs and some food and water. In its surroundings you can see a Franciscan monastery inaugurated in 2000 and enjoy a beautiful natural environment.