Wordless Wednesday - Hill of Crosses


The poignant Hill of Crosses in Northern Lithuania has been a site of Catholic pilgrimage for centuries, and I was lucky enough to visit during a trip to Vilnius. As you can see from the photo, words aren't really necessary - it is just as it looks, a forest of many thousands of wooden, metal & stone crosses and crucifixes of all shapes and sizes, many adorned with rosaries, photos of Lithuanian patriots, images of saints & religious statues. During the Soviet era, several attempts were made to destroy the hill and all its crosses, but each time it was cleared the Lithuanian people virtually overnight rebuilt their sacred place once more - a miracle in itself. The tradition of making & carving stylised oak crosses and adorning them with metalwork is a unique and important part of Lithuanian culture

Comments

  1. I hope you enjoyed your trip in Lithuania :) I always believed that Hill of Crosses is one those places in the world that no photo or words can express why the place is special and  it can be understood why only by visiting it.

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  2. So true, AudronÄ—. And yes, I loved visiting Lithuania! A beautiful country with so many warm and friendly people :)

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  3. that's amazing.. thanks for sharing this pic :) Like it a lot..

    Ai @ Sakura Haruka
    Join in: Wordless Wednesday Linky Party

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  4. wow, that's a lot of crosses! It would  be pretty cool to see someday =)

    Sounds like you had a fun trip! -Samantha

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  5. Good morning!


    I’ve got a page I’ve put together
    devoted to hops, challenges, and memes for every day of the week! The link to
    that page is under my header. http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/.
    If your Wordless Wednesday is a regular feature, let me know & I can
    include it on the list!

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  6. Wow that is a lot of crosses great photo :)

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  7. Hi Erika - I've added your WW to the page mentioned below. It was my oversight to have missed it - thank you for the reminder!

    I'm still finding the image of the hill of crosses to be quite stirring. Thank you for the shot!

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  8. What an incredible shot, I have never heard of this!

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  9. Lovely photo ~ very informative and a treasure ~ thanks, namaste, Carol (from WW In Him) ^_^

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  10. Wow!! I'd love to see this (in real life!)

    TToria @ http://ttoria.blogspot.com

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  11. This is amazing, I think it is wonderful you got to see this. thank you for sharing with us and for the linky too. xo

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  12. What a remarkable sight. It must be a very powerful place.



    -----------------------------------


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  13. Wow!  What an amazing pic - I can't imagine what it would be like to see this personally.  What a great tribute to the faith!

    Blessings,

    April

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  14. I am following the WW bloghop and followed you via GFC as masugr.  hope you can stop by mywildcrazylife.blogspot.com and follow me as well!

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  15. Wow!  That is amazing!

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  16. WOW!!! That is amazing!!!  Thanks for sharing!!

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  17. It's very moving, April - and truly awe inspiring :)

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  18. Wow, that is amazing! I would love to see this place in real life!

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  19. It is incredible, Stacy - and very moving too :)

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  20. That is a great photo. Gives one pause................amazing.

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  21. Wow that is an amazing sight.

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  22. Gina @ Chic Homeschool MamaWednesday, December 14, 2011 10:22:00 pm

    WOW- what an amazing place!!

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  23. wow...no words needed here!  What a powerful image, Erika!

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  24. Hi there, I found you VIA 'Wordless Wednesday Chill Out & Blog Hop
    Hope you can check out my blog
    @ http://krystylco.blogspot.com/
    I'm fairly new and would LOVE a new
    follower
    We're also hosting a BlogHop this weekend!

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  25. Wow!  That's incredible!  I never knew that place existed.

    Thank you for linking up with Wild & Wonderful Wednesday!

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  26. what a beautiful photo! I can't even imagine what it must of felt like to see in person. I have an aunt (no longer with us) who along with her grandmother escaped during the occupation. her grandmother ( I called her little Grandma T) was the sweetest hard working woman ever.

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  27. Am completely speechless! Where is this place?

    http://firaszphotography.wordpress.com/

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  28. This is just breathtaking. You're right- no words are necessary!

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Someone once said that comments are like chocolates - you can never eat just one. As a chocoholic, I love to dip into your replies, and always respond to as many comments as I can!
Erika x