Summer roses and flowers created paradise on earth. Nature gave the most precious things and the most genuine emotions to us for free. The summer smelled of seawater, meadows, first honey and something else indescribable but exciting. Such was the breath of summer.
And what is autumn, and what does it bring us? Golden-colored trees, still blooming autumn flowers, the sky, scratched with mountains of clouds... And it doesn't matter that the sky is a bit overcast today, we're on our road again. For a long time, I wanted to show the children Cross Hill, which is one of the main attractions in our state.
This was the third time I have visited here, but it is the first time for my children. When we left ou car in the parking lot there, we were met by quite picturesque surroundings, the air was fresh and in the soul - some pleasant excitement-anticipation.
Entrance to the Hill of Crosses is free. According to tradition, it is necessary to buy a cross and leave it on the hill. One legend says that once upon a time there lived a father. His daughter was very ill - she was dying. In a dream, a woman appeared to the man. She told him to bring a cross to the mountain. The father made this cross himself and went to the mountain. The journey took him several hours, and when he returned home, his daughter was healed.
But this is not the end of the story. Other people one or other way learned about this miracle healing. They believed in the miracle - and began to bring crosses to the mountain. Whether it helped them - the legend is silent. Since then, there has been a tradition of leaving crosses on the Hill as a sign of gratitude for health, children, family. However, everyone knows what they are grateful to God for. The crosses are inexpensive, 2 euros or 4, depending on the size.
I have read there are various versions of how the Hill of Crosses appeared there, includingsome folk legends. The most frequently cited reason is that the hill was a pagan temple. Paganism survived in Lithuania longer than in the rest of Europe. According to scientists, the worship of spirits continued until the 14th century.
Other experts believe that the first Lithuanian Christians gathered here. There is an opinion that paganism and Christianity replaced each other at this place depending on the time of day - Christian rites were officially performed here during the day, and pagan rites were secretly performed at night.
A more modern version says that the crosses on the hill appeared in memory of those who died in anti-Russian uprisings during the czar's era. In 1831, the authorities brutally suppressed the resistance of residents. New uprisings and wars, new victims increased the number of crosses on the Hill.
During Soviet times, the sacred place for the people was destroyed, the hill was torn down, and religious symbols were removed. But people again and again brought crosses to the hill, showing their will for freedom.
Nowadays, many people bring crosses here, as this ritual is believed to bring good luck. Some of these crosses hide their own history, others are just a souvenir bought in the parking lot of the landmark and left here for good luck.
So, we moved to the hill. There is a convenient path leading to it. There are benches, but we didn't feel like we need a rest at all. It's a pity that it's very difficult to convey in a photo all those feelings that literally tear you apart. The energy is extraordinary, the sensations are all heightened to the limit.
The Hill of Crosses is a small hill with crosses on it. There are freestanding crosses, but they are rare. All the crosses are close to each other - and quite tightly. The crosses are of different shapes, different sizes and made of different materials. Some still have crosses hanging on them. Here and there you can see photographs or inscriptions. You can - and should - climb up the steps and go down to the other side, where you will be met by a small church.
Well, it's really hard to describe the feeling - you have to experience it. There is security here, but it's almost unnoticeable and doesn't bother anyone who decides to think about life a little.
You can walk around the Hill of Crosses in about 40 minutes, but believe me, you just won't want to leave. A mystical place, no doubt.
However, I suppose that not everyone will be able to understand what is so special here. But I would like to immerse myself in this incredible atmosphere at least once more. To breathe in this air, to get some of these amazing emotions.
Many visitors who come here expect to see a high hill with crosses on it. However, in reality, everything is completely different. The hill is very small, but there really is a mountain of crosses. Some say the hill looks like cemetery. A variety of crosses, statues, crucifixes, rosaries, tombstones, even children's toys. All of this stands, lies, hangs. They are left by visitors from all over the world. I saw inscriptions of people from Japan, Australia, US, China...
On the mountain - in addition to the crosses - there is also a crucifix. This is a gift from Pope John Paul II, who in 1993 served a solemn mass here, on the Hill of Crosses. Various church holidays are now held here.
There are countless crosses on this mountain, but someone says that there are almost half a million of them. It may well be. People leave their prayers and hope here. The power of faith in this place is very much felt here. It is not for nothing that this place is also called the Hill of Prayers.
Behind every cross, be it big or small, there is a person. A person with his own thoughts, desires, faith in the good and kind. Each cross is filled with spiritual energy. And this means that such powerful spiritual forces have accumulated in one small place that I believe they can help people.
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With love @madeirane
Photos are taken by me.
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