Hill of Crosses — Attraction in Siauliai County

Defiance by pilgrimage! To the right of the A12, about 12 km north of Šiauliai, lies an approximately 8-meter high Jurgaičiai or Domantai Hill, better known to everyone as the Hill of Crosses. Archaeological research has shown that there was a castle and a settlement on the hill at least as early as the 14th century. However, the hill gained its name and fame during the uprisings of 1830/31 and 1863/64, when crosses were erected here for the first time for fallen rebels whose burials were unknown. At the beginning of the 20th century there were about 150 crosses and during the first years of the Soviet occupation the number of crosses quickly increased to about 400. The brutal oppression of Lithuania, between 1945 and 1953 about 100,000 Lithuanians were deported to Siberia, decreased the placing of crosses. After the death of Stalin the placing of crosses increased greatly to the great annoyance of the Soviet authorities and in 1961 the now 5000 crosses were literally bulldozed flat. Security by the KGB and severe punishments if you were caught did not help, the Lithuanians continued to sneak up the hill to place crosses. After three more bulldozer actions in 1973, 74 and 75, the Soviets finally gave up in 1985, the Hill of Crosses became a national symbol of resistance and by 1990 there were an estimated 40,000 crosses. The mass that Pope John Paul II gave in 1993 for some 100,000 believers made it a real place of pilgrimage and gave a further boost to the placing of crosses. Today (2025) an estimated 200,000! crosses and rosaries stand and hang here. Even non-believers cannot help but be deeply impressed by this mystical hill. Definitely...

The hill of crosses is a hill covered with over 250,000 crosses of every shape, size, and constitution. Today our group of 10 explored the collection of wood, metal, fabric and more crosses, rosaries and religious symbols. Several people brought more crosses, some purchased from the gift store near the information center, again in metal, wood and in various sizes. Several large crosses still stand but a few have fallen due to exposture to the elements. Crosses, rosaries, and special intention prayers from all over the world unite. Everyone seems to agree that house once stood here and was burnt by the Russians in 17th century. People began putting crosses here in mid 19th century either to praise God or to honor those killed in mid century uprisings against Tsarist Russia. In. 1961, Russians burned wood crosses and melted down metal ones. But the Hill of Crosses survives today with people bringing more crosses for praise, petition, remembrance. Some crosses bear words asking for world peace This is a peaceful, powerful stop for people of all faiths or with no Faith. The walk through the crosses can be steep and muddy and the view can be appreciated from any vantage point. At the parking entrance, a 5 minute walk, a open air gift shop offers amber jewelry, all types of small crosses, postcards and magnets. A smaller indoor gift store offers a selection of amber and jade items. The restroom...

Hill of Crosses in Lithuania Visited on 2/10/2019

It may be a site of pilgrimage, but I do have a mixed feeling about it.

There is plenty of car park, and no entrance fee. After passing the entrance of a big thick wall is immense area of lustrous green fields on both sides of the brick pave path.

It is quite a fair walk to the hill where the crosses are. The hill has gentle slope, an it is not wheelchair friendly.

According to a source, "Poles and Lithuanians unsuccessfully rebelled against Russian authorities in 1831 and 1863. These two uprisings are connected with the beginnings of the hill: as families could not locate bodies of perished rebels, they started putting up symbolic crosses at the site of a former hill fort."

I do not think I like to visit this place alone or in the evening. It is rather eerie for my liking. Although it is called the Hill of Crosses, there are some big statues as well.

When Pope John Paul II visited the Hill of Crosses, he declared it a place for hope, peace, love and sacrifice.

On a very serious note, I consider this place is a fire hazard. Most of the crosses are small and wooden, simply and randomly pegged into the soil very close to each other. In fact, it is very messy and unsightly to say the least. The management should seriously consider taking necessary precaution to prevent malicious fire bugs or lightning strike to...