The Hill of Crosses

The phenomenon of the Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania began when people started leaving crosses there hundreds of years ago and continues to this day. These photos of a hill covered in crosses show the amazing sight it has become.

A crucifix at Hill of Crosses, where many believe miracles can happen.

The Hill of Crosses

The phenomenon of the Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania began when people started leaving crosses there hundreds of years ago and continues to this day. These photos of a hill covered in crosses show the amazing sight it has become.

In 1831 an unsuccessful uprising against the Russian czar left many rebels dead. Relatives of the dead rebels, with no bodies to bury, instead left crosses.

The Hill of Crosses

The phenomenon of the Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania began when people started leaving crosses there hundreds of years ago and continues to this day. These photos of a hill covered in crosses show the amazing sight it has become.

Some leave messages to God along with a cross.

The Hill of Crosses

The phenomenon of the Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania began when people started leaving crosses there hundreds of years ago and continues to this day. These photos of a hill covered in crosses show the amazing sight it has become.

The Hill of Crosses is covered with about 200,000 religious symbols in all shapes and sizes, in wood and metal.

The Hill of Crosses

The phenomenon of the Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania began when people started leaving crosses there hundreds of years ago and continues to this day. These photos of a hill covered in crosses show the amazing sight it has become.

The city of Siauliai in Lithuania has been a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of years.

The Hill of Crosses

The phenomenon of the Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania began when people started leaving crosses there hundreds of years ago and continues to this day. These photos of a hill covered in crosses show the amazing sight it has become.

A symbol of religious devotion became an act of defiance during the Soviet era, when communist Russia’s KGB bulldozed the area twice.

The Hill of Crosses

The phenomenon of the Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania began when people started leaving crosses there hundreds of years ago and continues to this day. These photos of a hill covered in crosses show the amazing sight it has become.

KGB agents were stationed at the site when crosses continued to appear.

The Hill of Crosses

The phenomenon of the Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania began when people started leaving crosses there hundreds of years ago—and continues to this day. These photos of a hill covered in crosses show the amazing sight it has become.

Shrines, pictures of saints, and other icons of faith decorate the area.

The Hill of Crosses

The phenomenon of the Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania began when people started leaving crosses there hundreds of years ago and continues to this day. These photos of a hill covered in crosses show the amazing sight it has become.

Rosary beads hang from a cross on Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses.

The Hill of Crosses

The phenomenon of the Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania began when people started leaving crosses there hundreds of years ago—and continues to this day. These photos of a hill covered in crosses show the amazing sight it has become.

In 1991, Lithuania won its independence from soviet Russia. The site once again became a symbol of the Catholic country.