Mysterious hill of crosses where pilgrims actually believe Christ can perform miracles

The tradition of leaving crosses began after an uprising against the Russian tsar was put down in 1831

Relatives of the dead rebels, with no bodies to bury, instead left crosses on this hill to commemorate their fallen

Today there are some 200,000 crosses, carvings and shrines at the site made out of everything from wood to metal


The Hill Of Crosses in northern Lithuania has been a site of pilgrimage for hundreds of years.



Consisting of a hill bristling with hundreds of thousands of crosses of every size and design, it is a powerful testament to religious devotion - where pilgrims descend to plead with Jesus for miracles.



The tradition of leaving crosses began after an uprising against the Russian tsar was put down in 1831.

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Eery: The Hill Of Crosses in northern Lithuania has been a site of pilgrimage for hundreds of years

Powerful: Consisting of a hill bristling with hundreds of thousands of crosses of every size and design, it is a powerful testament to religious devotion

Ritual: The tradition of leaving crosses began after an uprising against the Russian tsar was put down in 1831

Bodiless grave: Relatives of the dead rebels, with no bodies to bury, instead left crosses on this hill to commemorate their fallen

Relatives of the dead rebels, with no bodies to bury, instead left crosses on this hill to commemorate their fallen.



When the Russians again occupied Lithuania, during the soviet period, religion was forbidden.

Crosses appearing on the hill became a symbol of resistance to the communist regime and in response the KGB twice bulldozed the hill.

Prayers: Vygandas Drazdauskas with a cross asking for helath for his father, success for his girlfriend for her exams, and a peaceful life

Plea for divine help: Some of the crosses bear messages to God

Modesta Vaisvilaite ties a cross to the hill: When the Russians again occupied Lithuania, during the soviet period, religion was forbidden

Struggle: Crosses appearing on the hill became a symbol of resistance to the communist regime and in response the KGB twice bulldozed the hill

Wood and metal: Today there are an estimated 200,000 crosses, carvings and shrines at the site made out of everything from wood to metal



Hill of hope: In 1991, when Lithuania acquired its long awaited independence, the hill became a dual symbol of Lithuania's Catholic faith and her national identity

Defiance: When crosses continued to appear the soviet authorities stationed KGB agents around the site to stop people sneaking through the forest to plant crosses

In the mist: Some stand as much as three meters tall, while there are also countless tiny examples hanging upon the larger crosses

Decoration: Rosaries, pictures of Jesus and the saints, and photographs of Lithuanian patriots also decorate the area

When crosses continued to appear the soviet authorities stationed KGB agents around the site to stop people sneaking through the forest to plant crosses.



In 1991, when Lithuania acquired its long awaited independence, the hill became a dual symbol of Lithuania's Catholic faith and her national identity.



Silhouetted in red: Pilgrims arrive at all times of day and night to pray to God

Believers: Here pilgrims believe Christ, right, can perform miracles



Today there are an estimated 200,000 crosses, carvings and shrines at the site made out of everything from wood to metal.



Some stand as much as three meters tall, while there are also countless tiny examples hanging upon the larger crosses.

