Hill of Crosses

The Hill of Crosses is a pilgrimage site near Domantai and Jurgaičiai in the Šiauliai district of northern Lithuania, about 215 km north-west of Vilnius. Tens of thousands of crosses, rosaries and religious figures cover a small mound, making it a symbol of Lithuanian faith and resistance. The trip is a long day: roughly 3 hours 30 minutes each way. The most practical public-transport option is a train from Vilnius to Šiauliai, about 3 hours and €12-20, followed by a taxi of about 12 km costing €15-20; see ltglink.lt for departures, which are few. An organised day tour from Vilnius costs about €50-80 per person and handles the transfers, and a rental car at about €40-70 per day plus fuel gives the most flexibility with about 3 hours of driving each way. Entry to the hill is free. Visitors usually spend one to two hours walking the wooden paths among the crosses, reading inscriptions and visiting the chapel and gift stalls nearby, where small crosses can be bought and left on the hill. A workable one-day arc is a very early start from Vilnius, arrival at the hill by mid-morning, a visit of one to two hours, lunch in Šiauliai, and a return in the late afternoon or evening, making a day of about 10 hours. Because of the length, many visitors prefer an overnight stay in Šiauliai or Kaunas. May to September offers the best weather, long daylight and dry paths; in winter the site is quieter but cold, wet and sometimes icy. Morning visits are generally calmer, and midday brings tour buses. The environment is spiritual, so visitors are expected to keep voices low and treat the crosses with respect.