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The white reinforced concrete Three Crosses Memorial, standing atop the Hill of Three Crosses in Vilnius, has become a symbol of national identity. The 12-meter-high monument, visible from afar, not only honors the memory of the Franciscan martyrs but also offers a stunning panoramic view of the Vilnius Old Town. At the foot of the hill lies the Bernardine Garden, and the Vilnelė River flows nearby, enhancing the charm of this historic site.
The history dates back to the 12th–13th centuries when a wooden castle and settlement stood on the hill. Legend has it that seven Franciscans were martyred on the hill, tied to crosses by pagans. The first crosses were erected to commemorate this event, later becoming a symbol of the city. The current memorial, designed by A. Vivulskis in 1916, was dismantled by Soviet authorities but was restored in 1988.
Unique places
Vilnius
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