This tour of the Hill of Crosses in Riga is a must if you find yourself in Latvia's capital city. Discover this incredible pilgrimage site and the stunning Rundāle Palace. What's not to love?
Description
On the day of the activity, we'll meet at the scheduled time in front of the main entrance to the Riga Cathedral. From there, we'll begin this insightful tour of one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Lithuania. Ready? Let's go!
Firstly, we'll depart from Riga and make our way through the picturesque Latvian landscape. Upon crossing into Lithuania, we'll stop to take some photos at the border, capturing the unique transition between the two Baltic countries. Once we've arrived at the Hill of Crosses, our guide will reveal to us the history and significance of this famous pilgrimage site in Lithuania, which has been adorned with thousands of crosses that represent prayers and resilience.
We'll hear about the site's origins and its ever-lasting importance among both the local community and international visitors. The myths and legends surrounding the site are what earned the hill its name, plus the fact that it's full of metal and wood crosses representing the devotion of all pilgrims who set out to reach this sacred space.
From here, we'll make our way back into Latvia and towards the Baroque masterpiece that is Rundāle Palace. Once there, we'll discover the opulence of the palace and its interior accompanied by our expert guide. We'll enter this beautiful building and travel back in time to discover how the dukes of Curlandia lived in the 18th century.
The French-style gardens, and decorated rooms, like the State Rooms, the Golden Salon, the Grand Gallery, and the Duke's private rooms, will leave you completely stunned.
Following on from this, we'll give you some free time to enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant. Then, we'll make our way to Bauska Castle, where we'll ascend the newly renovated tower to check out the breathtaking panoramic views.
This medieval fortification located at the confluence of two rivers will give you one of the most special views of the day from the top of its tower. Then, we'll tour its interior and discover the history of the former bastion that was here.
After 8 hours together, we'll bring this exciting tour to an end back at the starting point in Riga.
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