Place of worship
Hill of Crosses
15 locals recommend
Location
Jurgaičiai, Šiaulių apskr.
Tips from locals
The Hill of Crosses, where people not only from Lithuania have put crosses for couple centuries, witnesses faithfulness and trust of a Christian community to Christ and his Cross. This is an expression of a spontaneous religiousness of the people, and is a symbol not of grief and death but of Faith, Love and Sacrifice. From here the Pope blessed all people of Lithuania and all of Christian Europe.
The Hill of Crosses, where people not only from Lithuania have put crosses for couple centuries, witnesses faithfulness and trust of a Christian community to Christ and his Cross. This is an expression of a spontaneous religiousness of the people, and is a symbol not of grief and death but of Faith,…
Thousands of metal and wooden crosses—placed here for nearly two centuries—have found a home on the growing mound of religious fervor. Despite many attempts to destroy it, this unusual pilgrimage site endures as a powerful testament to devotion. UNESCO recognizes cross-making as intangible cultural heritage of Lithuania, a “symbol of national and religious identity,” uniting the community in the face of adversity. During the Soviet era, religion remained banned and the Hill of Crosses off limits. In April 1961, the entire site was bulldozed and burned down by the authorities. Even though the Hill of Crosses was destroyed four more times, each time locals risked political danger by defiantly rebuilding the site under the cover of darkness.
Thousands of metal and wooden crosses—placed here for nearly two centuries—have found a home on the growing mound of religious fervor. Despite many attempts to destroy it, this unusual pilgrimage site endures as a powerful testament to devotion. UNESCO recognizes cross-making as intangible cultural…