Lithuania's Kryžių Kalnas, also called the Hill of Crosses’ origin, remains a mystery. The place is dotted with thousands of metal and wooden crosses—placed here for nearly two centuries and is growing in a mound of religious zeal. The Hill of Crosses has stood strong despite the attempts to destroy the unusual pilgrimage site and has endured becoming a powerful testament of devotion. The exact origin of the practice of leaving crosses on the hill is still not clear, but it is believed that the first crosses were placed on the former Jurgaičiai or Domantai hill fort just after the Uprising of 1831.
It is believed that the crosses have cropped up at the end of the 19th century, after a phantom of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus asked the believers to cover the holy place with these Holy crosses. Generations have passed on the art of carving religious icons. The site has been recognized by UNESCO for cross-making, as the intangible cultural heritage of Lithuania. This has made it a symbol of national and religious identity, uniting the community in times of adversity.
There is a certain eeriness about the entire place because every time the Government has tried to level this place, nothing much happens and it has endured thus far, unscathed proving the power of true devotion. UNESCO has recognized as an integral part of cultural heritage the tradition of making icons of religious fervor which has been handed down the ages and being symbolic of national and religious identity. This finally ends in uniting the community in the face of troubles. Religion was banned during the era of Soviet reign and the Hill of Crosses was totally cut off from everyone. Still even after the entire place was annihilated in April 1961, it still came back to what it was or even better.
The Hill of Crosses has welcomed tourists and the local community overcoming the difficult past with unshakeable faith and hope for the future.
Šiauliai, Lithuania to Hill Of Crosses
By taxi:
10 min
11.4 km
One way fare ranges from R 140 to R 180
Drive:
10 min
11.4 km
Approximate cost of fuel varies from R 21 to R 35
Walk:
2 h 18 m
11.5 km
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Waiting Time
No
Entrance Fee
Time you can spend
1 to 2 hours
Weather
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