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Published: June 20th 2011
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Location
The Hill of Three Crosses lies just outside of Old Town Vilnius near the Upper Castle. It is not hard to get there even if you are walking, as we were. It is a bit tiring to get to the top on a hot day like today. Knowing that the probability of our being in Vilnius again is slight, we included it even if we were already pretty tired from walking for hours. In my opinion the major reason to visit the crosses is the view of the city from the top. Certainly you can see the crosses themselves quite well from other places. So, if you are in town I would say not to bother with the climb.
We walked up the road since if there is a path through the woods we missed it. There is no sidewalk, but there was little traffic since the area is basically a park with an area for concerts. The crosses are hidden as you climb because the hillside is covered with trees.
As we approached the final set of 75 or so steps leading straight up to the crosses, a man who I would guess was
a few years younger than we passed us and ran up the steps. Nancy suggested that I also try running. I declined the suggestion since I was tired and hot (and couldn't have done it anyhow).
Like a Phoenix.
Here goes another history tale but this is an old, old country and there are many of these tales. Wooden crosses were constructed here in the 16th century to memorialize the legend of seven Franciscan friars who were tortured and murdered here by 'pagan rabble' ... at least our guidebook used these words. At that time Lithuania was still quite pagan and really battling against forced conversion. Some of the friars were hacked to death while others were tied to crosses and thrown into the Vilnia river that flows near the base of the hill.
I do not know when the wooden crosses disappeared. In 1916 permanent crosses were constructed only to be torn down and buried on orders from Stalin sometime in the 1950s later to be replaced by the current crosses in 1989 the year before Lithuania gained its independence from the Soviet Union.
From the top.
From the
The performance area.
Obviously enormous crowds can enjoy concerts or competitions here. top are panoramic views of the city, both Old Town and newer sections of the city. This can be helpful in gaining an elementary understanding of the layout of Old Town Vilnius and beyond. The Upper Castle is quite visible from the hill top. It is true that the three Baltic countries are quite flat, but as we found in Vilnius, this does not mean there are no hills. We had been lead to understand that the Castle was on the tallest hill in Lithuania. However from the top of the hill of crosses we were looking down on that hill, so...
Concerts.
There is a large amphitheater part way up. Three young people were cleaning the performance area preparing for a performance. A number of people were sitting on the wooden bleaches watching.
As we walked down, after visiting the crosses, we sat and watched for a few minutes. By then we needed a few minutes rest in the shade.
White nights and soaking up the sun.
This time of year is called the "White Nights" as it never gets totally dark anywhere in the Baltic area. The hours
of bright sunshine are long. Sun bathers take every opportunity to soak up as much sun as possible. Three young coeds had found a spot right next to the road and right in front of the concert area to their liking and were getting their Vitamin D. It is too bad that Vitamin D cannot be stored and slowly used during the long, dark Lithuanian winter days. They seemed a bit self conscious as they were in full view of every car, truck and walker who passed and were dressed to take maximum benefit from their sunning. And yes, as we sat in the bleachers Nancy zoomed in with her camera and took a photo of them. Yes I am telling the truth, this is Nancy's photo.
Our day was not over yet. We still had more to see and off we went ... but that is material for another entry.
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