Hill of Crosses
Posted by: Westcoast8
N 56° 00.952 E 023° 24.941
34V E 650582 N 6210478
The Hill of Crosses just outside Šiauliai is an extraordinary place of worship.
Waymark Code: WM2DYA
Location: Lithuania
Date Posted: 10/18/2007
Views: 316
The exact origins are unknown, but it is considered that the first crosses were placed on the former Jurgaiciai or Domantai hill fort after the 1831 Uprising. Over the centuries, not only crosses, but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have been brought here by Catholic pilgrims. The number of crosses is unknown, but estimates put it at about 50,000.
Most recently, the site took on a special significance during the years 1944-1990, when Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union. Continuing to travel to the Hill and leave their tributes, Lithuanians used it to demonstrate their allegiance to their original identity, religion and heritage; it was a venue of peaceful resistance. Although the Soviets worked hard to remove new crosses, and bulldozed the site at least three times (including attempts in 1963 and 1973). There were even rumors that the authorities planned to build a dam on the nearby Kulve River, a tributary to Muša, so that the hill would end up under water.
On September 7, 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the Hill of Crosses, declaring it a place for hope, peace, love and sacrifice.
Type of cross: Latin cross
Material used: Other...
Characteristics of this cross: The main characteristic is that there is not only ONE cross but thousands or millions...
Describe the location: In the middle of a field a few kilometers outside Siauliai in the northern part of Lithuania.
Year of manufacture: 12/31/2011
Is this cross commemorative ?: Don't know...
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Visit Instructions:
Post at least one photograph of this cross.