Hill of Crosses, Siauliai, Lithuania

[meathiel]

The Hill of Crosses (Lithuanian: Kryžių kalnas) is a site of pilgrimage about 12 km north of the city of Šiauliai, in northern Lithuania. The precise origin of the practice of leaving crosses on the hill is uncertain, but it is believed that the first crosses were placed on the former Jurgaičiai or Domantai hill fort after the 1831 Uprising. Over

Comments

[eullipia]

Beauty in excess? It has something. I'd love to know the story behind it. When was the first cross planted and why?

[meathiel]

It says in the little paragraph I posted ... in the 1830s. It was demolished several times in Soviet times but the Lithuanians always started it again.

[eullipia]

Fascinating. So, I assume, the place itself has inspired this phenomenom?

[meathiel]

It seems to be a place to protest against oppression ...

Maybe you'd like to read the article in wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_of_Crosses

[eullipia]

Thanks. I'll follow your wiki link now. Hmm intersting article. As an ex Catholic atheist I still find all places of worship and pilgrimage fascinating and this is truly so - an estimated 55,000 crosses and crucifixes!