One of Lithuania's best-known tourist attractions is something called The Hill of Crosses. And that's exactly what it is, a lumpy hill in the middle of a field way up in the northern part of Lithuania. It's been around since about 1831 and has survived multiple wars, regime changes and upheavals. No one has jurisdiction over the shrine. The Soviets repeatedly cleared the site, but people with crosses always returned. Pope John Paul II visited in 1993.
People keep visiting and leaving crosses. How many crosses? Who knows, maybe more than 100,000. Taking a look at the layout, it's obvious that a true count would be impossible.
Heading up the Hill.
It's a folk art mashup, a mix of religious devotion and symbolic anarchy.
People have hauled substantial pieces to the Hill.
A table turned into a shrine and more crosses, hemming in dirt paths.
View from the side.
Jesus as super hero and Mary among the crosses.
Ready to start counting?
People keep visiting and leaving crosses. How many crosses? Who knows, maybe more than 100,000. Taking a look at the layout, it's obvious that a true count would be impossible.
Heading up the Hill.
It's a folk art mashup, a mix of religious devotion and symbolic anarchy.
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A table turned into a shrine and more crosses, hemming in dirt paths.
 |  |
Jesus as super hero and Mary among the crosses.
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Do they have a take a cross leave a cross dish at checkout?
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