Route of John Paul II: Hill of Crosses, Tytuvenai & Siluva

Take a full-day tour from Vilnius to follow Pope John Paul II's pilgrimage trip in 1993. Head to the most sacred sites of Lithuania. In the very beginning of his pontificate, John Paul II pronounced his famous phrase: “Half of my heart is in Lithuania."
During this private day tour you will be able to explore the most interesting sites, which Pope John Paul II visited. Pope John Paul II was the first Roman pontiff who visited Lithuania in September 1993. His pontificate is related with Lithuanian religious and national revival, and the re-establishment of the Lithuanian Republic in 1990. In the very beginning of his pontificate, John Paul II spontaneously pronounced his famous phrase: “Half of my heart is in Lithuania”. 

The tour will include two sites which were visited by the Pope: Siluva Shrine of Our Lady and Hill of the Crosses, and one extra site of the beautiful monastery of Tytuvenai. The tour starts from Vilnius and heads to Siluva. Since the beginning of the 16th century, Siluva has been famous for the indulgenced Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Siluva is famous for the first widely known apparition of the Mother of God in Europe. Today Siluva is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Lithuania with its ancient tradition of the indulgenced Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  

Next stop will be Tytuvenai monastery. Tytuvėnai’s Church of Our Lady of the Angels and Bernardine monastery complex are among Lithuania’s largest and most significant specimens of 17th and 18th century sacred architecture, reflecting as they do a multi-layered harmony of the Gothic, Mannerist and Baroque styles. The last stop of the tour is the Hill of Crosses. The Hill of Crosses has about 100,000 crosses, it is a historical architectural monument and a unique composition of folk art. The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania left a deep impression on Pope John Paul II. After the tour, head back to Vilnius.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 48 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 48 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.