In 1933 the villagers of Medjugorje wanted to commemorate the 1900th Anniversary of Jesus’ passion and crucifixion on the Cross. They labored for over a year to build a cross measuring 8.56 m high (28 ft) and weighing 10 tons on the highest mountain in Medjugorje.  The parishioners themselves carried all of the materials, cement, sand, water, tools, etc.,  that were needed to build the cross and offered it in memory of Christ’s crucifixion. The cross was completed on March 15, 1934 and a path was created to the top of the mountain with prayer stations along the way. The mountain became known as “Krizevac” which means “Mount of the Cross” and it is called Cross Mountain to this day.  It is the highest point in the surrounding area. It is said that there is a piece of the true Cross located inside the cement casing.

Since the Apparitions began in 1981, Cross Mountain has become a central point of pilgrimages to Medjugorje where many miraculous healings and conversions have taken place. Often people who have taken the climb to the top of Cross Mountain liken it to the journey of life. It is Tabor. It seems like a difficult, almost impossible mountain to climb when you begin; sometimes there is a need to slow down or even stop when you encounter the rocky pathways. But with the stream of other pilgrims who are also climbing the mountain, and the solace of the prayers said along the way, we gain the strength to go on. And then there is the reward at the top; the tremendous beauty and breath taking joy one experiences when he has reached the top and the struggle of the climb is over.

The moving experience of climbing Cross Mountain is a journey that can be taken by anyone. There are old people and young alike who can be seen climbing. It is also common to see people unable to walk, being carried up on stretchers or in chairs. Many, many pilgrims who go to Medjugorje have never climbed a mountain in their life—but they are drawn to Cross Mountain and with a deep longing, desire to make the climb out of love for their Lord, for the sorrow of their sins, or in seeking the answer to a prayer.