The Significance Of The Hill Of Crosses
The Hill of Crosses is a symbol of the spirit and peaceful strength of the Catholic faith of Lithuania and the perseverance of the people to uphold their faith despite severe external aggression and hurdles over time. The Hill of Crosses has come to be a symbol of peace and spirituality and is a landmark in Lithuania.
There is a deep religious significance to the Hill of Cross since it symbolic of the faith of the people in Christ and in his cross. The site is a coming together of the Christian community and the landmark is not just a representation of the death and grief but also of sacrifice, unwavering faith, love and belief.
The religious significance of the Hill of Crosses has been greatly underlined ever since Pope John Paul II paid a visit to the site on 7th September 1993 to bless the people of Lithuania and other Christian communities in Europe. The Pope announced that the Hill of Crosses is a place of sacrifice, hope, faith, love and peace.
The importance of the Hill of Crosses has been further marked with the establishment of a Franciscan hermitage in the vicinity in the year 2000. The interiors of the hermitage have been styled on the lines of the La Verna mountain where St. Francis underwent his stigmata.
Visiting The Hill Of Crosses
The Hill of Crosses is one of the premier tourist attractions in Lithuania. To make the most of a visit, it is recommended that you plan a trip on a bright and sunny day so that you can spend time on the hill and study the various crosses and other objects on the site and read the various inscriptions and messages left by the visitors. The place is one of spirituality and honoring the people’s faith so it is advisable to maintain the peace and quiet of the site. The tradition of leaving crosses at the site is not mandatory but most visitors choose to do so and participate in one of the greatest spiritual movements in modern history.
Plan A Trip With The Baltic Travel Company
The Baltic Travel Company offers a 10 days/ 9 nights Baltic States Tour package where one can visit the capitals Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn and see important tourist sites such as the Curonian Spit, the Lahemaa National Park and the Hill of Crosses.