On a hill far away

[frogmarch]

stand +50,000 old rugged crosses.





Hill of Crosses, Lithuania

It has more than 50,000 crosses on it, and no, it is not a cemetery.
The reasons for the crosses to be there is that there is a story that each one who would put his own cross on this mountain would become a lucky guy, so thousands come here and install their custom crosses. They say this tradition appeared before the Christianity came to Lithuania and Russia and is of pagan origin.

More pics: http://englishrussia.com/index.php/2007/03/22/hill-of-crosses-in-lithuania/

Spooky looking, isn't it? Very Halloweenish.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. It is very spooky looking...

I wonder if it's lit up at night...

Thanks for the historical footnote!

:hi:

[handmade34]

2. Now that is something to 'cherish'

would love to see that in real time

[panader0]

3. I read an article today about Hart Island

101 acres near the Bronx in NYC where 800,000 people are buried with no crosses or markers. Unclaimed or unidentified dead.
Spooky.

[Richard D]

4. You should post those in the photography forum.

Nice shots

[onager]

5. Latvia has a cool old church-related tradition.

In the city of Riga, Latvia, is an old church with a bell tower, but no bell.

According to local custom, the bell used to ring every time an unfaithful spouse walked by.

The residents finally removed the bell when they could no longer stand the constant noise.

[Petrushka]

6. My Lithuanian grandpap's favorite hymn was "The Old Rugged Cross" . . .

. . . and I'm wondering if that hymn reminded him of the Hill of Crosses in his homeland.

Thank you for the link!