A Visit to the Hill of Crosses, Lithuania

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What a special place to visit. The Hill of Crosses is one of the most unique destinations I’ve ever been to, and I actually felt quite emotional on my visit. It’s made up of well over 200,000 crosses, and is one of Lithuania’s most popular sites – it’s easy to see why.

Climbing the Hill

  1. Contents
  2. What is the Hill of Crosses?
    1. The History
    2. Today
  3. How to get to the Hill of Crosses
  4. Other helpful information


People began planting crosses here en-masse in the 1800s, although the tradition probably began much earlier. Following the failed 1831 Uprising against the Russian Empire, people placed crosses on the hill both as a sign of their religion, and also to honor victims and relatives of the uprising, many of whom were deported to Siberia.

During Soviet times in the 1900s, the Hill of Crosses took on an even greater importance—as a sign of resistance to the totalitarian regime. The Hill of Crosses was bulldozed by the Soviet authorities several times, but people would risk their lives in peaceful protest by planting crosses again, even overnight to avoid detection. The Hill of Crosses became a symbol of Lithuanian national identity, as well as a significant religious site.

The incredible Hill

Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass on the Hill of Crosses on September 7th 1993, to a huge crowd of 100,000 people. There is a small chapel commemorating the spot where he celebrated Mass.

Today, people still leave crosses in memory of loved ones. I’ve talked a lot about my infertility issues, and I found a small comfort in leaving a little cross in memory of my 13 (at the time of writing) miscarried little babies, who even though never older than a few weeks were loved regardless and who I wish in another world might have been visiting with me.


Getting to The Hill of Crosses is easiest by car. The nearest town is Šiauliai (pronounced show-lay), 12km away. If you’re coming from Vilnius it’s a 2.5 hour drive, or 2hrs from Kaunas. We drove from Vilnius, en-route to Riga, as the site is about half way, making it the perfect stop off.

If you don’t have a car, you can also take a train from Vilnius or Kaunas to Šiauliai. From there, head to the bus station and get the next bus to Joniskis and get off at Domantai, from where it’s a 2km walk to The Hill of Crosses site. Buses are to and from Šiauliai to the site are unreliable though, so I really recommend a car if you can do so.

Final views of the Hill


  • The Hill of Crosses is open 24hrs a day
  • It is free to enter, though there is a charge to use the toilets on site and there is a charge of EUR1 for carparking
  • There is a small gift shop at the site where you can buy crosses if you want to leave one
  • There are over 200,000 crosses at the site
  • Walking round the Hill of Crosses takes around 30-45 minutes. In total we spent 1hr here.
  • Bring insect repellant as there are mosquitoes everywhere! I was bitten 6 times even in trousers and a jumper!

So what do you think of The Hill of Crosses? Would you want to visit one day? I thought it was a great place, and I thoroughly recommend it if you ever visit Lithuania.

36 responses to “A Visit to the Hill of Crosses, Lithuania”

  1. I’d definitely like to visit the Hill of Crosses the next time I’m back in Lithuania Hannah after reading your lovely post.

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    1. Thanks for reading Marion and so glad you enjoyed it. It’s definitely one for the itinerary when next in Lithuania 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Such an amazing site! Quite a tribute to the people who despite all the odds still wanted to create this place!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So glad you think so Linda as it definitely left an impression on me. Thanks for reading, have a lovely weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. The Hill of Crosses definitely looks like an interesting stop. Those mosquitoes though (assuming it’s mosquitoes).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Isn’t it just so interesting and unique – I’ve never been anywhere like it. Oh it was definitely mosquitoes, I was bitten sooo many times, the blinking things!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Such and interesting and inspiring history of this hill and of the resilience of the Lithuanian people.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I couldn’t agree more! Thank you so much for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. This place is incredibly historic although it looks a little frightening to me. I’d go but definitely not at night.😄

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh no, no way you’d get me in there at night either!! It was very gothic for sure, but there was also a peacefulness about it. Thanks so much for reading John 🙂

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  6. Thanks for sharing this, and for sharing your own personal, painful struggles. I understand personally the pain and heartache of infertility. The crosses seem to give peace; and bless those who risked their lives to keep it flourishing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much for reading – and I’m so sorry to hear that you understand the grief and the pain of infertility too. I’ve definitely found some peace in being open about it, so many of us suffer in silence when we shouldn’t have to – and I found peace in laying a little cross 🙂

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      1. It is a painful and difficult thing to go through. I’m glad you have found some peace.

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  7. Wow that’s a lot of crosses. What a unique place to visit. I can see why it was a bit of an emotional experience.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s totally crazy isn’t it! I still don’t know if I loved it or found the whole thing weird!!

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  8. What an incredible place to visit! Seems like a memory that will stay with you forever.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was totally crazy – amazing and weird in equal measure lol! 🙂

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  9. I’m so glad you got to visit the Hill of Crosses; I don’t know of many travel bloggers (at least, the ones I follow) who have gone. I actually shlepped it over by public transport, waking up extremely early to catch the first train out of Vilnius and taking the bus over afterwards. Even the walk over to the site from the bus stop is pretty, if isolated: the rapeseed in the springtime was especially abundant. Thankfully, I didn’t get bitten by insects during my visit, but insect repellent is always a good idea to have! Happy to see you saw all of the crosses and had learned about the sentimentality attached to each one– it’s touching to see these crosses hung by those devoted to God!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh my goodness, you did it by public transport – that is real commitment! I found it a really worthwhile and moving site, although also totally spooky and in equal part amazing and weird. And I’ve learnt my lesson with insect repellant!! Thanks for reading and hope you’re having a nice weekend 🙂

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  10. What a moving place and truly represents the power and resilience of human nature. Mel

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I couldn’t agree more Mel!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Such a historical and symbolic place! It is stunning and certainly one to visit. I hope you took some comfort from the cross you left there, Hannah.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It really was, and yes I did take some peace and comfort away with me. It’s nice to think all over the world I’ve laid crosses, lit candles, spared thoughts – somehow it feels peaceful to do that 🙂

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  12. What a beautiful and moving place to visit. I do believe that those we have loved and lost are always with us and your sweet babies know that they were loved and I believe there will be moments when you will feel their love for you in small unexpected ways. What a beautiful tribute to that love you shared.

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    1. Aw thank you for reading Meg and for your lovely words. I agree – I will always be a different person than I was before after each and every loss. We love so much and when we lose it hurts. But sometimes grief is just love with nowhere to go….who knows, maybe some day 🙂

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  13. Wow, so many different crosses – I can see that this place might bring some emotion. And I’m happy that you got to “plant” your own little cross in memory of the little ones you carried … I believe we will see them again one day 💌.

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    1. Aw thank you Corna….it was definitely a little bit emotional but also brought a little bit of peace 🙂

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  14. Such an historic site we saw.in Lithuania. This brings back memories of our time there.

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    1. It’s a beautiful site!

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  15. ThingsHelenLoves

    What a place. I’ve just finished reading a book about Lithuanian history and the story of Jonas Noreika or ‘General Storm’. This place gets a mention in it, although I suspect it’s one of those seen to be believed kind of places. I hope you found comfort in leaving a cross and I’m sorry for your losses. I didn’t want that to go unacknowledged.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ahh I’ve heard of that book but I haven’t read it yet. It’s definitely a see it to believe it kind of place – pictures can’t capture the scale of it. Oh Helen, that’s so kind of you and thank you so much 🙂

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  16. jasonlikestotravel

    Such a unique place and I can see why it’s a popular place to visit in Lithuania. Definitely on my list to visit when I make it there.
    I’m glad you were able to add your own cross too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So glad you found it interesting Jason, thanks so much for reading

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  17. […] Not to be confused with item 20 above, The Hill of Crosses lies a few hours north of Vilnius and is hard to get to without a car, but is doable as a day trip. One of the most special places in Lithuania (in my opinion), it’s well worth it. You can read my detailed post on my visit HERE. […]

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  18. […] Tallinn. On the way we visited fairytale castles in Trakai, Kaunas and Cesis, unique spots like the Hill of Crosses, beautiful nature in Lahemaa and explored Soviet history in Patarei. The Baltics were beautiful and […]

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About the author

Hi! My name is Hannah, I’m a travel blogger from the UK who fits travel around a full time (and full on) job. In this blog I share my adventures around the world and hopefully help you to find some inspiration for destinations, things to do or places to stay. Thanks for stopping by – stay safe and happy travelling.

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