Križevac summit
Views over the valley.
Mariusz Musiał — Public domain · gnuckx — CC BY 3.0 · gnuckx — CC BY 2.0 · Marco Piagentini — CC BY-SA 3.0 · gnuckx — CC BY 3.0 · Doko — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Doko — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sean MacEntee from Monaghan, Ireland — CC BY 2.0
Two rocky hills overlooking Međugorje, climbed by pilgrims and visitors on rough stone paths. On the top of Križevac, or «Cross Mountain», stands a 12-metre white concrete cross put up by the parish and completed in 1934; it bears the date 1933. A steep rocky path lined with stations of the Way of the Cross leads to the summit of Križevac, which gives wide views over the village, its plain and vineyards, and the surrounding mountains. Podbrdo, a lower hill near the hamlet of Bijakovići, is where six local children said they first saw the Virgin Mary on 24 June 1981; pilgrims call it «Apparition Hill». On its slope stand a white statue of the Virgin and, lower down, a blue cross linked to the reported apparitions. The climbs are free and always open, but the rocks are sharp and uneven, so sturdy shoes are essential; go in the morning or before sunset to avoid the heat, and take water. Both are places of prayer and reflection, so a quiet visit suits them best.
Views over the valley.
The white statue.
A real climb.
Hills around Međugorje village
It depends on fitness, but it is a steep rocky path, so allow an hour and a half to two hours up and down, with sturdy shoes and water, ideally in the morning or before sunset.
