The Hill of Crosses

The Hill of Crosses is located near the city of Šiauliai. It is known that a huge number of various crosses were collected on it, brought there by the faithful. The history of the place dates back to 1430, when a single chapel was built here. However, larger numbers of crosses began to appear here only at the end of the 19th century, as a form of protest, when the Russian authorities forbade putting them on the graves of fallen insurgents.

The Hill of Crosses, Lithuania - © Brate

After the Second World War, the authorities repeatedly tried to liquidate this place, but each time the faithful put up new crosses. In 1993, Pope John Paul II celebrated a Holy Mass on the Hill of Crosses , and then presented the cross as a gift to Lithuania. Since then, this place has been very popular with the faithful who keep adding new exhibits there. In 2006, the number of crosses gathered in this place exceeded 100,000, and now it is estimated that there are over 150,000 of them here.

For whom?

If you are interested in places of religious worship , you will surely be interested in the Hill of Crosses. People who follow in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II should visit his place of prayer. It is an interesting place that will appeal not only to the faithful, but also to seekers of unusual attractions.