Rules of the Hill of Crosses

RULES FOR VISITING, MAINTAINING, AND ERECTING CROSSES AT THE HILL OF CROSSES – JURGAIČIAI, DOMANTAI HILLFORT WITH SETTLEMENT

CHAPTER I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. These rules for visiting, maintaining, and erecting crosses at the Hill of Crosses – Jurgaičiai, Domantai hillfort with settlement (unique code in the Register of Cultural Heritage – 23879) (hereinafter – the Hill of Crosses) establish the procedure for public use, visitation, maintenance, and placement of crosses at this cultural heritage site, including visitors’ rights, obligations, and responsibilities.

2. The Hill of Crosses is a cultural heritage site of national importance. It is a monument of cultural and societal significance, characterized by its sacred, landscape, archaeological, culturally expressive, mythological, and historical values. It is a place of remembrance rich in legends, art, and ethnographic elements, symbolizing the suffering, hope, and resistance of the Lithuanian nation in the 20th century. It is an open-air museum known worldwide after the visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II on September 7, 1993. It is one of the most prominent pilgrimage destinations on the Pope John Paul II Pilgrimage Route in Lithuania.

3. The territory of the Hill of Crosses (6.3786 hectares, unique land parcel No. 9134-0011-0051), its cultural heritage objects (the Hill of Crosses chapel – code 36136, the hillfort – code 3295, and the associated settlement – code 23880) and cultural landscape are protected, maintained, and used in accordance with the requirements of the Republic of Lithuania’s laws on territorial planning, protected areas, and cultural heritage protection. These rules are also based on detailed plans approved by the Šiauliai District Municipality Council (Decisions No. 47 of June 1, 2000, and No. T-308 of October 27, 2011), the individual protection regulation of the cultural heritage object approved by the Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture (Decision No. LRŠ-170(1.9-Š) of December 9, 2020), and the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

4. The maintenance and public use of the Hill of Crosses is ensured by the Šiauliai District Municipality Administration (hereinafter – the Manager). The Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture is responsible for the protection of the cultural heritage object.

5. Individuals and legal entities (hereinafter – visitors) conducting activities at the Hill of Crosses must comply with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania on protected areas, environmental protection, and cultural heritage, as well as all relevant legislation, detailed plans, and these Rules, which are prepared in accordance with the Order of the Minister of Culture No. ĮV-237 of 2005.

6. Visitors have the right to access and familiarize themselves with these Rules.

CHAPTER II

VISITATION REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS AT THE HILL OF CROSSES

7. The Hill of Crosses is open for individual visitors and groups for public use and exploration in accordance with these Rules.

8. Visitors to the Hill of Crosses have the right to:
   8.1. Visit at any time of the day or night;
   8.2. Use the available infrastructure and services;
   8.3. Park vehicles only in designated and clearly marked areas;
   8.4. Erect wooden crosses, chapels, and roofed poles in accordance with Chapter III of these Rules;
   8.5. Take photographs and/or film for personal use (family, wedding photo sessions, etc.).

9. The following actions are prohibited within the territory of the Hill of Crosses:
   9.1. Driving motor vehicles off designated roads or parking them in non-designated or unmarked areas;
   9.2. Riding bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or rollerblades in the hillfort area;
   9.3. Camping or making fires in undesignated and unmarked locations;
   9.4. Lighting candles or smoking, due to fire risk;
   9.5. Damaging or destroying signage, markers, security equipment, boundary indicators, or exhibition/infrastructure elements;
   9.6. Littering or leaving waste outside of trash bins;
   9.7. Leaving prayer books, pictures, or other religious items on-site;
   9.8. Cutting or damaging trees, bushes, lawns, flower beds, or decorative plants, digging or disturbing the ground, polluting the environment, or contaminating rivers and shores;
   9.9. Making noise or disturbing other visitors or pilgrims;
   9.10. Begging or soliciting donations;
   9.11. Organizing events or commercial filming/photography without the Manager’s consent;
   9.12. Playing loud music or instruments, except during approved events;
   9.13. Disturbing religious processions or spreading interfaith discord;
   9.14. Obstructing conservation or scientific work;
   9.15. Damaging, removing, or relocating existing crosses or other structures;
   9.16. Performing any activity that may cause erosion or damage the site's values;
   9.17. Bringing dogs or other animals into the hillfort area, except for guide dogs.

10. With the Manager’s written consent and in coordination with the Department of Cultural Heritage, the following may be allowed:
    10.1. Use of temporary structures or equipment;
    10.2. Scientific research or conservation activities;
    10.3. Other activities compliant with the protection regulation and detailed plans.

11. Commercial photography or filming, or other purposes not listed in point 8.5, require prior written approval from the Manager, submitted at least 14 calendar days in advance. The request must include the description of the planned activity, equipment used, and other relevant information. The Manager may consult with the Department of Cultural Heritage and the Diocese of Šiauliai. Organizers must ensure compliance with these Rules and heritage protection requirements.

12. Events must follow the Šiauliai District Municipality’s event regulations. Requests should be submitted to the Meškuičiai eldership. If the event exceeds 100 participants, approval from the Department of Cultural Heritage is required.

13. Selling religious items, crosses, souvenirs, or other tourism-related goods is only permitted in designated areas and must comply with local regulations and national laws. Permits are issued and monitored by the Meškuičiai eldership.

14. Visitors must:
    14.1. Protect the natural environment, landscape, and heritage values of the Hill;
    14.2. Comply with the protection regulation and related restrictions;
    14.3. Follow these Rules and all posted instructions;
    14.4. Respect the rights of other visitors;
    14.5. Report any damage or violations to the Manager.

15. The Manager may restrict access to the Hill of Crosses if visitor intensity poses a threat to the site’s heritage values.

CHAPTER III

PROCEDURE FOR ERECTING CROSSES AT THE HILL OF CROSSES

16. To preserve the authenticity, traditions, and aesthetics of the Hill of Crosses, visitors may erect wooden crosses, chapels, and roofed poles up to 2 meters in height, provided they do not endanger existing structures or diminish the site’s sacredness.

17. Structures taller than 2 meters must be coordinated with the Manager and the Department of Cultural Heritage (Šiauliai division). A written request must be submitted at least 10 calendar days before installation, including structure size, materials, foundation (if any), and visual documentation if available.

18. Restoration or installation of other objects not listed in point 16 must be coordinated with the Manager through a written request.

19. The following is prohibited:
    19.1. Destroying, removing, or relocating existing structures without permission;
    19.2. Installing cemetery crosses with names or crosses from gravesites;
    19.3. Placing crosses on paths or in the main square.

CHAPTER IV

LIABILITY FOR VIOLATIONS OF THESE RULES

20. Individuals and organizations must comply with these Rules and all relevant laws.

21. Any damage to the Hill of Crosses or its protected values must be compensated either by restoring the site to its original state or by paying for direct and indirect losses as per Lithuanian law.

22. Crosses or other structures installed in violation of these Rules or the law may be removed, and the removal costs charged to the responsible party.

23. Violations of these Rules are subject to penalties as established by the laws of the Republic of Lithuania.

CHAPTER V

FINAL PROVISIONS

24. To ensure public order and safety, the Hill of Crosses is monitored by video surveillance.

25. These Rules are publicly available on the Šiauliai District Municipality’s website and posted at the Hill of Crosses information stand.

26. Amendments to these Rules are approved by the Šiauliai District Municipality Council.