WHAT: A visit to the Hill of Crosses - a site of pilgrimage for Lithuanians WHERE: 12 km from the town of Šiauliai, halfway between Riga and Kaunas or Vilnius HOW LONG: You need a small hour to walk around the hill HOW MUCH: It's a free site. But perhaps you might want to buy a cross or the like at the little shop to show your respects
One of Lithuania’s most remarkable sights without a doubt is the legendary Hill of Crosses. It simply is what it says: a small hill in the flat landscape of Lithuania, but with an incredible density of crosses. Today, almost a quarter of a million of them (and some Stars of David, Crescent Moons and more) adorn the double hillocks, and flow onto pathways leading to the hills.
The Hill of Crosses were planted here since the 19th century but grew immensely when people erected crosses to honour those presumed dead who had been forced into labor camps or Siberia by Soviets. Soviets bulldozed the crosses time after time, but legend has it each night the Lithuanians kept replacing them, despite the soldiers and barbed wire that tried to prevent them from doing so. Therefore the hill represents resistance and freedom of mind too.
The hill itself seems in the middle of nowhere and from a distance, it doesn’t look up to much either, honestly. But as you get closer, the sheer amount of crosses that are decorating the area slowly impresses you. They comes in all kinds of shapes, sizes and styles and if you come in spring or summer, wildflowers grow between them.
Whatever you believe or do not believe, this hill is an interesting and historic remembrance and an important sign of the Lithuanian perseverance. If you’re lucky you might even be part of a procession, a perfect way to get to know some Lithuanian culture!
