The Hill of Crosses is a site in northern Lithuania where thousands of crosses have been placed. It started in the 14th century when Lithuanians placed crosses as symbols of faith after being conquered by Teutonic Knights. During Soviet rule, the site was destroyed three times but rebuilt each time as a symbol of Lithuanian culture and religion. Today it remains an important pilgrimage site for Christians in Lithuania.

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/>.