Hill of CrossesAbout Hill of Crosses
The Hill of Crosses is a pilgrimage and memorial site north of Šiauliai in northern Lithuania notable for its vast concentration of crosses and religious symbols. The collection comprises tens of thousands of crosses placed by individuals over many decades.
The site is characterised by densely packed wooden, metal and stone crosses in a compact area, informal paths through the crosses and occasional religious icons and rosaries. It is seen both as a place of private devotion and a national symbol.
The Hill emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries as a place of remembrance and private devotion and continued to grow through the 20th century despite periods when authorities removed crosses. Pope John Paul II visited the site in 1993.
Geographically it stands on a small hill about 12 km north of Šiauliai, set in flat agricultural plains of northern Lithuania and reachable by local roads and short walks from parking areas.
- Scale: Contains tens of thousands of crosses and crucifixes of all sizes, deposited over many decades by pilgrims and visitors.
- Access: Located about 12 kilometres north of the city of Šiauliai and accessible by road; the site is open to the public year-round.
Best Time to Visit Hill of Crosses
Visit the Hill of Crosses in late spring or early autumn for fewer crowds and pleasant walking weather, or in winter for a quiet, atmospheric experience.
Weather & Climate near Hill of Crosses
Hill of Crosses's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -6°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (597 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -6° - -2° | -8° | 36 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| February | Poor | -6° - -1° | -9° | 26 mm | overcast | 95% | 3.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.3h |
| March | Poor | -3° - 3° | -4° | 31 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 1° - 10° | 3° | 39 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.3 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Very Good | 6° - 17° | 12° | 46 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.0 m/s | 1.1 high | 16.2h |
| June | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 17.3h |
| July | Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 77 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.8h |
| August | Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 70 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.4 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 14.9h |
| September | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 56 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 2.9 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 12.6h |
| October | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 5° | 56 mm | overcast | 90% | 3.1 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.2h |
| November | Poor | 0° - 4° | -2° | 52 mm | overcast | 95% | 3.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.0h |
| December | Poor | -4° - 0° | -6° | 45 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
How to Get to Hill of Crosses
The Hill of Crosses (Kryžių kalnas) is north of Šiauliai - roughly a 10-15 minute drive (about 10-15 km) from Šiauliai city centre on regional roads. Regular regional and excursion buses depart Šiauliai bus station for the site; on arrival there is a short walk from the roadside parking/bus stop to the crosses (usually under 10 minutes).
Tips for Visiting Hill of Crosses
- Visit the Hill of Crosses early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid tour‑bus crowds and to experience the site in quieter light for photos.
- Access to the site is free and open year‑round; walk the outer paths to see the older, densely clustered crosses and the more recent votive offerings that many visitors miss.
- The site is close to Šiauliai-combine the stop with a short drive to/from the city rather than relying on big guided tours that usually arrive mid‑day.