HILL OF CROSSES

Approximately 12 km north of Šiauliai, near the Šiauliai–Riga railway line, an elongated hill with a low-lying area in the middle rises in the fields, entirely covered with crosses. This is the famous Hill of Crosses, which bears witness to reverence and devotion to the sacrifice of the Cross, through which Christ saved people of all times and generations. The Hill of Crosses recalls not only the suffering and death of the Redeemer, but also His resurrection and glorification, and, at the same time, the glorification of every person through the mystery of the Cross. Those who journey to the Hill of Crosses, pray there, and erect crosses testify to the strength flowing from the Cross, to inexhaustible hope, and to faith in God’s love.

In the Middle Ages, a wooden castle stood on this hill, referred to in the chronicles as “Kula”. It was destroyed by the Livonian army in 1348. For many years, the hill remained bare. In the mid-19th century, crosses began to be erected on the mound, popularly known as Pilies Hill, Jurgaičiai Mound, Domantai Mound, or the Hill of Supplications. Local people say that the first crosses were erected as prayers to God for health. According to other stories, crosses began to be placed on the hill in memory of those who perished in the 1863–1864 uprising. After suppressing the uprising, the Tsarist authorities banned the erection of crosses—punishing those whose homesteads displayed them and tearing the crosses down. The faithful, however, had no intention of giving up the practice. Instead, they gathered in a more remote place, which became the Hill of Crosses. Thus, the Hill of Crosses stands as a symbol of the strength of faith that overcomes all obstacles.

Despite the prohibitions of the Tsarist government and the hardships of the First World War, the Hill of Crosses gradually grew. The hill flourished during the interwar period. People climbed it to pray, and Holy Masses were celebrated there. Large numbers of people gathered on the hill on summer feast days. In mid-July, the feast of indulgences was celebrated on the Hill of Crosses, drawing crowds of thousands.

During the Soviet occupation, erecting crosses on the hill was strictly forbidden, and pilgrims were persecuted and punished. Moreover, the hill itself was severely damaged several times: all the crosses were swept away and the roads leading to it were cut off. At one point, there were even attempts to flood the Hill of Crosses. Yet everything turned out contrary to the expectations of the occupying authorities: the more harshly the hill was destroyed, the more powerfully it revived. People erected crosses at night, bringing them despite danger, prohibitions, and persecution. Thus, the Hill of Crosses became not only a sacred place, but also a symbol of heroic resistance to the Soviets and of faith in freedom.

After Lithuania regained its independence, pilgrims began to flock to the Hill of Crosses in a continuous stream. Crosses were also built at the foot of the mountain, because they were no longer large enough on the mountain itself . The most important event in the history of the Hill of Crosses, which made it famous throughout the world, was the visit of Pope John Paul II on September 7, 1993. The Holy Father prayed on the Hill of Crosses, celebrated Holy Mass in the chapel built near the mountain and addressed the gathered large crowd of believers: " May this Hill of Crosses at the end of the second millennium after Christ testify and proclaim the new, third millennium, proclaim Salvation and Redemption, which we will not find anywhere else, except in the Cross and Resurrection of our Redeemer ." The Pope blessed Lithuania and all of Christian Europe. The Pope later mentioned his visit to the Hill of Crosses many times in various speeches, and a year after the visit, the Holy Father's gift to Lithuania - the Crucifix (sculptor E. Manfrini) - arrived in Lithuania.

This gem of Christian Europe is admired not only by believers, but also by travelers from all over the world. The Hill of Crosses attracts both individual pilgrims and tourist groups, and its popularity continues to grow. The diversity of visitors is also increasing: individual travelers usually come from Europe, while large tour groups arrive from North and South America and Asia.

Interestingly, this sacred site is revered not only by Christians—even travelers of other religions or non-believers, captivated by the spirit of the Hill of Crosses, leave small crosses, rosaries, or other Christian devotional items. In this way, the Hill of Crosses is constantly growing: its slopes are enriched each day with crosses erected by individual tourists, tour groups, and official institutions from various countries.

Today, the Hill of Crosses is not only a sacred place, but also a living symbol of faith, freedom, and the resilience of the nation. It testifies that faith, preserved through the ages despite prohibitions, persecutions, or threats, has become a universal sign of hope and continues to inspire people from around the world. The Hill of Crosses is a place where history and spirit converge, carrying forward to future generations the message of the invincible power of faith.

Information is provided by:
St. John Paul II St. 7, Domantai village, Meškuičiai eldership, Šiauliai district
Phone: +370 41 37 08 60
E-mail: [email protected]
Working hours:
From January 1 to March 31, Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
From April 1 to September 30, Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
From October 1 to December 31, Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
NOTE: On the last day of the month, the stock-tracking (inventorisation) is carried out, the souvenir shop is closed. On the eve of holidays, the working day is shortened by one hour.

The opening hours of the Tourism and Business Information Center do not affect the visiting hours of the Hill of Crosses. The Hill of Crosses can be visited at any time.