Hill of Three Crosses

Trijų kryžių kalnas

White monument crosses standing on a green hill above the old town, rebuilt after Soviet demolition as a symbol of remembrance. The climb rewards visitors with one of the finest viewpoints over Vilnius.

Things to do

• Climb to the Three Crosses — Ascend the stone steps to the base of the white monument crosses for the classic close-up view of this Vilnius landmark.
• Panoramic viewpoint over the Old Town — Take in one of the finest panoramas of Vilnius, with the Gediminas Tower, church spires, and the Vilnia River spread below.
• Walk up through Kalnai Park — Follow the wooded trails of Kalnai (Hill) Park from the Vilnia riverside up to the crosses, passing the Bekešas and Table Hills.
• Visit the Bastion viewpoint route — Combine the climb with a stroll toward Gediminas Hill and the Bastion of Vilnius for layered views of the city's fortifications.
• See the memorial plaque of the demolished crosses — Look for the remnants and marker recalling how the Soviets bulldozed and buried the original crosses in 1950 before their 1989 reconstruction.
• Sunset photography from the summit — Come in the evening when the white crosses glow and the Old Town rooftops turn golden for the best photos.
• Cross the Vilnia to Užupis afterward — Descend and wander into the bohemian Užupis district just across the river for galleries and cafés.

Food to try

• Cepelinai — Zeppelin-shaped potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat and topped with sour cream and bacon, Lithuania's signature dish.
• Šaltibarščiai — Bright pink cold beetroot soup made with kefir, served with boiled potatoes, perfect after a warm-weather climb.
• Kibinai — Karaite baked pastries filled with meat, a handheld regional snack originating from nearby Trakai.
• Skilandis and dark rye bread — Smoked cured sausage paired with dense Lithuanian rye, a hearty picnic option for the hilltop.
• Gira — A traditional fermented bread drink, mildly sweet and refreshing, sold in Old Town cafés below the hill.
• Šakotis — A spit-baked, spiky tree-shaped cake found in Vilnius bakeries, ideal as a sweet treat and souvenir.

Local customs & good to know

• A symbol of remembrance — The crosses honor Franciscan monks said to have been martyred here and stand as a monument to Lithuanian resilience after Soviet demolition.
• Wear proper footwear — The climb involves steps and uneven park paths that can be slippery when wet, so sturdy shoes are advised.
• Respect the monument — This is a place of quiet reflection for locals, so keep noise down and avoid climbing on the crosses.
• Combine with Gediminas Hill — Buy no ticket needed here, but pair the free visit with the nearby castle complex for a fuller sense of Vilnius history.

Nearby

• Gediminas Tower and Castle Hill — 1 km
• Užupis — 1 km
• Vilnius Cathedral and Square — 1 km
• Vilnius Old Town — 1 km