Today, two new crosses appeared on the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, where over 200,000 crosses, chapels, statues of saints, and religious images already stand. They were erected by German soldiers from Logistics regiment 1 participating in the exercise Brave Blue 2025, together with soldiers of the Military Commandants' Command.
According to the German troops, the purpose of this initiative was to express solidarity with the Lithuanian people and their history. For them, the event was both a symbolic gesture and a meaningful political lesson.
The history of the Hill of Crosses dates back to the 19th century. It is believed that the first crosses were placed in memory of the rebels killed during the 1831 uprising. During the Soviet era, authorities attempted to destroy the site — crosses were removed, gravel was extracted from the hill — but locals continued to rebuild it. The hill has endured and today stands as a powerful symbol of Lithuania’s fight for freedom.
The initiative was supported and facilitated by the Military Commandants' Command, the Šiauliai District Municipality, and the Tourism and Business Information Center of Šiauliai District.
The Military Commandants' Command information
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