Lithuania 🇱🇹 - Hill of Crosses and water skiing

Sven Walther

August 2, 2026

The Hill of Crosses

After leaving the big city of Riga behind us, we soon reach the next country: Lithuania. Our first stop is the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai.

Nobody really knows how exactly this unusual place came about. What is certain is that visitors have put up crosses here again and again over many decades, despite resistance and attempts to ban it in Soviet times. And by now there are really, really many of them.

Hill full of crosses under a cloudy sky, a staircase leading up — The Hill of Crosses

A wooden boardwalk leads right through the sea of crosses. Big and small crosses pile up left and right, rosaries hang from them, and photos, notes and pendants are tucked in between. One cross carries a blue-yellow flag. An impressive and at the same time slightly surreal place.

A wooden cross with a blue-yellow Ukrainian flag between countless small crosses — Ukraine is represented here too

Wooden boardwalk leading uphill through dense rows of crosses — The boardwalk right through

Saskia walking with Lou on a narrow path between tall crosses — Saskia and Lou in the forest of crosses

Sven standing on a wooden staircase between crosses, a carved wooden angel figure on the right — Sven on the stairs

Lou weaves her way through the crosses and bears it with composure that this time she is not allowed to feel like the centre of attention. Above us towers a huge figure of Christ with outstretched arms.

Lou standing on a sandy path between countless small wooden crosses — Lou in the middle of the sea of crosses

Large figure of Christ with outstretched arms on a pedestal, surrounded by crosses — The big figure

By the lake

After that we leave the bustle behind. We drive to a remote car park at a small lake that is apparently quite popular with the locals. Exactly what we are looking for after the capitals: peace, nature and water right outside the door.

View across a meadow to a small lake with two red sauna huts on the shore — Pitch at the lake

Kurtuvėnai

The next day we head to Kurtuvėnai Regional Park. On the rather small car park we actually find exactly one spot left for us - lucky us. From there we start straight on a hike: hills, lakes and above all few people. Wonderful peace after the last few cities.

In the village stands the Church of the Holy Apostle James, and across the fields you can see its towers from far away.

White baroque church with two towers against a blue sky — The Church of the Holy Apostle James

Mammothon parked in front of the white church — Mammothon in front of the church

Flowering meadow, the church towers between trees behind — The church above the fields

Calm lake with reeds at the shore under a blue sky with clouds — One of the lakes in the park

On a pole in the village two storks have made themselves comfortable in their nest and are holding a family meeting.

Two storks standing on a nest on a pole in front of a blue sky — Family meeting in the stork nest

A pitch with water skiing

After a good meal we are recharged and drive on to a pitch right next to a water ski track. Completely different views from Mammothon for once: in front of us some do their laps and the pros show impressive tricks, while others are still struggling with the first few metres. Both exciting in their own way, and definitely an unusual backdrop.

Mammothon parked on gravel, a water ski facility with pylons behind — Mammothon at the water ski track

Water ski facility with beach, deckchairs and a jetty under a blue sky — The track

We watch, and because watching makes you thirsty, there are cocktails. Water skiing itself we leave to those who can do it.

Sven and Saskia with two cocktails on a terrace overlooking the water — Cocktails with a view

Lou lying on a blanket in front of the water ski facility — Lou keeps an eye on everything