Hill of Crosses (Kryžių Kalnas)

The Hill of Crosses is one of the most visually stunning and emotionally powerful sacred sites in the world. Located about 12 km north of Šiauliai, this small hill is covered with an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 crosses of every size and style — from massive wooden crucifixes meters tall to tiny rosaries and personal mementos. The tradition of placing crosses here dates back to the 1831 uprising against Russian rule. Over the decades, the hill became a symbol of Lithuanian identity, faith, and resistance. During the Soviet occupation, authorities bulldozed the hill at least three times, but each time, crosses appeared again overnight — planted by Lithuanians as acts of peaceful defiance. Today, the hill continues to grow as pilgrims from around the world add their own crosses. Walking among them is an overwhelming sensory experience — the clicking of thousands of crosses in the wind creates a constant, haunting soundtrack. Pope John Paul II visited in 1993 and called it a place of hope, peace, and love. The site is managed as a sacred space, and adding a cross is welcomed.