1. Hill of Crosses
http://sacredsites.com/europe/lithuania/hillofcrosses.html
By: Justin Winslow

2. Landscape geography
 Lithuania, itself, is located in Eastern
Europe, close to the Western border of
Russia
 Hill of Crosses is positioned
approximately 16Km north of an
industrial town, called Šiauliai, in
Lithuania1
http://taxidiaris.blogspot.com/2009/06/hill-of-crisses-lithuania.html
 Actual location of Hill of Crosses has a
rural geography1
 Very small: 60m long and 40-50m
wide1
 Surrounding area does not significantly
impact the Hill’s sacred nature

3. History
 The gesture of placing crosses in the
ground likely started in the 14th
century2
 At this time Teutonic Knights, a
German Catholic Order, occupied the
town of Šiauliai2
 Lithuanian Pagans  Lithuanian
http://history-world.org/teutonic_knights.htm
Catholics3
 Cross placing tradition continued as
a symbol of Lithuanian national and
religious pride2
 Hill of Crosses has recently
influenced Franciscan Brothers to
build a monastery near by1
http://www.lcn.lt/en/bl/sventoves/kryziuk

4. The people of the Site
 Christians in general, especially
Catholics
 The cross an crucifix are among the
most important symbols of Christianity
 They hold the meaning of “Faith, Love
and Sacrifice1”
 Through death comes salvation
 Every cross and crucifix on the Hill
conveys this fundamental message in
its own unique way
http://www.lcn.lt/en/bl/sventoves/kryziuk
 Christianity has the largest percentage of
adherents4
 It is not confined by ethnicity and its
members actively seek converts; it is
absolutely a universalizing religion4

5. Conflict
 Most notable conflict during the Soviet
occupation of Lithuania from 1944 to
1991 2
 Socialist ideals of the Soviets did not
allow any form of religion to be
expressed1
 The Hill of Crosses was burned and
demolished three times: 1961, 1973
http://biega.com/history20.html
and 1975 2
 Each time it was rebuilt, piece by piece
 The Lithuanian people would not let the
Hill fall
 It stood as a symbol of their national
and religious culture as well as a
beacon of hope1
 Currently, there is no direct opposition
to the Hill of Crosses http://sacredsites.com/europe/lithuania/hillofcrosses.html

6. My thoughts on sacred space
 I have learned much about my
heritage and faith
 Lithuanians have a long history of
war and occupation
 I can appreciate that they have
come to embrace Christianity
during troubled times
http://englishrussia.com/2007/03/22/hill-of-crosses-in-lithuania/
 The risks and sacrifices the
Lithuanian people made are
inspiring
 I hope to join the travelers there in
a pilgrimage and place my own
cross
http://www.flickriver.com/groups/84995969@N00/pool/interesting/

7. References
1. "Hill of Crosses." KATALIKAI.LT. Catholic Internet Service, Feb. 2001. Web. 12 Jan. 2012.
<http://www.lcn.lt/en/bl/sventoves/kryziuk>.
2. "Places of Peace and Power - Hill of Crosses." Places of Peace and Power - Sacred Sites:
Places of Peace and Power. Magic Planet Productions. Web. 12 Jan. 2012.
<http://sacredsites.com/europe/lithuania/hillofcrosses.html>.
3. Woodhouse, F. C. "Teutonic Knights: Their Organization And History." World History
International: World History Essays From Prehistory To The Present. Web. 12 Jan. 2012.
<http://history-world.org/teutonic_knights.htm>.
4. Fouberg, Erin Hogan., Alexander B. Murphy, and Blij Harm J. De. "Chapter 7: Religion."
Human Geography: People, Place, and Culture. 9th ed. Hoboken, NJ:
John Wiley & Sons, 2009. 199-200. Print.
Additional Websites Only Used for Pictures
Makuskiene, Dalia. "The Hill of Crosses, Lithuania." Travelling - Ταξίδια. Phivos Nicolaides, 13 June
2009. Web. 12 Jan. 2012.
<http://taxidiaris.blogspot.com/2009/06/hill-of-crisses-lithuania.html>.
Biega, Bill. "Central and Eastern Europe History - 19th and 20th Centuries." Information Treasure
Chest (Biega Homepage). 2002. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. <http://biega.com/history20.html>.
"Hill of Crosses in Lithuania | English Russia." English Russia » Daily Entertainment
News from Russia. In English! English Russia, 22 Mar. 2007. Web. 12 Jan. 2012.
<http://englishrussia.com/2007/03/22/hill-of-crosses-in-lithuania/>.
“Hill of Crosses.” 56o00’55.05” N 23o24’58.40”E. Google Earth. July 9, 2010. January 12, 2012.
Roels, Rudi. "Flickriver: Most Interesting Photos from Pray Along Pool." Flickriver - A New Way to
View Flickr Photos and More... Flickriver.com, 19 July 2006. Web. 12 Jan. 2012.
<http://www.flickriver.com/groups/84995969@N00/pool/interesting/>.