Sunday, May 27, 2018 - Visit Hill of Crosses, then to Riga, Latvia, Riga City Tour

After breakfast, we traveled to the Hill of Crosses in northern part of Lithuania.  It is a site of pilgrimage.  The precise origin of the practice of leaving crosses on the hill is uncertain. Over generations, not only crosses and crucifixes, but statues of the Virgin Mary, carvings of Lithuanian patriots and thousands of tiny sculptures and rosaries have been brought here by Catholic pilgrims. The exact number of crosses is unknown, but estimates put it at about 55,000 in 1990 and 100,000 in 2006. On September 7, 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the Hill of Crosses, declaring it a place for hope, peace, love and sacrifice. The hill remains under nobody's jurisdiction; therefore people are free to build crosses as they see fit.

Hill of Crosses

Front View of the Hill of Crosses

Then we had lunch at Audruvis Restaurant in Joniškis, Lithuania. There is a straw roof house next to it and it was a nice spot for photos.

Lunch at Audruvis Restaurant

Straw Roof House next to Audruvis Restaurant

After lunch, we traveled to Riga, Latvia.  We had a city tour to walk around Old Town which has been included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1997. Old Town Riga features gorgeous Medieval-era buildings, narrow cobble-stone streets, and many unique sacral structures. We visited Town Hall Square, Riga Cathedral, St. John's Church and St Peter’s Church.  The House of the Blackheads probably is the most photographed building in Riga. It was built in the 14th century and it was the wealthiest and most prestigious place in all of Riga at the time. It was completely destroyed in the Second World War and only rebuilt in 1999, the new building being an exact replica of the original.

House of the Blackheads

St Peter’s Church

St John's Church

Our local tour guide also showed us the Three Brothers which is a trio of historical buildings known by locals. 

Three Brothers

She also showed us the Cat House. The Cat House is known for the two cat sculptures, with arched backs and raised tails, on its roof. It is said that the owner of the house who was refused membership of the Riga Tradesmen’s Guild. He wanted the cats to be placed with their tails turned towards the house of the Great Guild, which is nearby, as he held a grudge against its members. It was later ordered that the cats should be turned so as to face the guild house.

Part of Cat House

She also showed us the Bremen Town Musicians Statue   Legend said if one can touch the chicken on the top, it will bring good luck to him/her.  We tried and it was hard.

Bremen Town Musicians Statue

Then we walked through the Esplanade Park to our hotel Radisson Blu.  On the way, we saw the Nativity Cathedral which is a huge Orthodox Church with shining gold domes. It was a truly remarkable building.  We also saw the Freedom Monument which is the symbol of their independence and freedom from the Soviet occupation. 

Esplanade Park

Freedom Monument

Nativity Cathedral

We had dinner at the hotel.  After dinner, some of us went up to the Skybar on the top floor and had a relaxed time.  We also had wonderful top view of the Nativity Cathedral.

Top View of Nativity Cathedral

Relaxing in Skybar