Góra Krzyży. Symbol walk Polaków i Litwinów o wolność religijną i narodową

Abstract

There are such countries in the world where Catholicism has struck deeper roots than in Lithuania. Nevertheless you will never meet such piety of folk and such expressions of spirituality that exist in the Cross Hill. A lot of people respect the Hill of Crosses not only as a religious object, but also as the symbol of nation’s spirit, nationality and freedom. Historical, religious and geopolitical events influenced birth of this notation. The aim of the research was to reveal the origin of the Hill of Crosses cult. According to the resources of folklore and history, historical origin of this object has been revealed. It testifies that the history of the Hill of Crosses began after the 1831 and 1863 Poles and Lithuanians revolt against Russian czar power. Conclusions ground the hypothesis raised at the beginning of the work that the cult of the Hill of Crosses is the heritage of Polish Franciscan culture in Lithuania. It is not only the witness of how Poles and Lithuanians suffered and lost the fight for religious and national freedom, but at the same time it is the sign and promise of the Good’s victory against the bad. It is natural that in year 2000 near it Franciscans abbey was built and it further spreads Franciscan culture.