HILL OF CROSSES

About 12 km north of Šiauliai, near the Šiauliai–Riga railway line, stands a small, elongated hill that is densely covered with crosses. This is the famous Hill of Crosses — a place that bears witness to reverence and fidelity to the Cross through which Christ redeemed humanity. For visitors and pilgrims, the site recalls not only Christ’s suffering and death, but also His resurrection and glorification, offering a reminder that each person is elevated through the mystery of the Cross. Those who travel here, pray here, and place their crosses testify to the strength, hope, and enduring faith that flow from the Cross.

In the Middle Ages, a wooden castle once stood on this hill — known in chronicles as Kula — before being destroyed by Livonian forces in 1348. For many centuries afterward, the hill remained bare. In the mid-19th century, however, crosses began to appear on the former castle mound, also known to locals as Pilies Hill, Jurgaičiai or Domantai Hillfort, and the Hill of Supplications. Some say the first crosses were placed by locals praying for healing, while others connect the tradition to 1863, when crosses were erected in memory of those who died in the uprising. After the rebellion was suppressed, the Tsarist authorities banned the placing of crosses — homes displaying them were punished and the crosses destroyed. Yet the faithful refused to abandon the practice and chose the remote hill as their refuge. For this reason, the Hill of Crosses stands as a powerful symbol of faith that overcomes obstacles.

Despite tsarist restrictions and the hardships of World War I, the Hill of Crosses continued to grow. It flourished during the interwar period, becoming a place of prayer and pilgrimage, where Holy Mass was celebrated and crowds gathered—especially on summer feast days. In mid-July, indulgence feasts were held here, drawing thousands of people who filled the hill and its surroundings.

During the Soviet occupation, placing crosses on the hill was strictly forbidden. Pilgrims were harassed and punished, and the hill itself was repeatedly bulldozed: crosses were removed, paths were cut off, and at one point there were even plans to flood the site entirely. Yet events unfolded contrary to the occupiers’ expectations. The more severely the hill was destroyed, the more powerfully it reemerged. People would bring crosses under the cover of night, ignoring danger, bans, and persecution. This is why the Hill of Crosses became not only a sacred place, but also a symbol of heroic resistance to Soviet oppression and a testament to the freedom of faith.

After Lithuania regained its independence, pilgrims once again began to flock to the Hill of Crosses in an unbroken stream. Crosses soon began to appear at the foot of the hill as well, since there was no longer enough space on the hilltop itself.

The most significant event in the history of the Hill of Crosses — the one that made it known across the world — was the visit of Pope John Paul II on 7 September 1993. The Holy Father prayed at the site, celebrated Holy Mass in the chapel constructed beside the hill, and addressed the vast crowd of faithful gathered there: “May this Hill of Crosses, at the close of the second millennium after Christ, bear witness and proclaim the new, third millennium — proclaiming Salvation and Redemption, which we will find nowhere else but in the Cross and Resurrection of our Redeemer.” The Pope bestowed his blessing upon Lithuania and upon Christian Europe. John Paul II referred to his visit to the Hill of Crosses many times in subsequent speeches, and one year after the visit, Lithuania received his gift — a crucifix sculpted by Enrico Manfrini.

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.