Lithuania: Land of Crosses

The Hill of Crosses is located in central Lithuania. Under Soviet occupation, the government completely destroyed the hill in 1961, then again in 1973 and 1975, but people continue to erect crosses. In 1980 further destruction of the crosses stopped. It is customary for people to leave a cross and pray when visiting the site. Photo by Virgilijus Usinavicius

The cross symbolizes faith, hope and love to the Lithuanian people. Crosses are everywhere in the countryside, on roads, in city parks and village squares. Communities and individuals erect crosses to bring them economic success, health and to commemorate events like weddings, births and christenings. Crosses are also erected to commemorate historical events. One of these is the Baltic Way, in which millions of people linked hands stretching across th Baltics from Estonia to Lithuania on August 25, 1989. About 9 monuments commemorate this extraordinary event.

The nationҳ pride is the Hill of Crosses, located north of Siauliai. Lithuanians erected crosses there as early as the mid-19th century. The Soviet government could not tolerate such spiritual expression and totally destroyed the hill in 1961, then again in 1973 and 1975. But people kept erecting more crosses, until in 1980 their destruction stopped. Today the crosses number in the thousands. Of many different sizes, both simple and ornate, they immortalize Lithuaniaҳ troubles, misfortunes and joys.