The crosses standing here are dedicated to mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, entire families — to Germans, a Ukrainian — all of whom fought in the ranks of the Lithuanian partisans.

Since 1989, Merkinė has held annual commemorations to honor partisans, their supporters, and those who were deported. Over the years, this Hill of Crosses (Kryžių kalnelis) has grown into the largest memorial site in Lithuania dedicated to postwar victims. It features more than 200 crosses, a chapel, and the names of around 400 fallen partisans engraved in remembrance.

The central wooden shrines (koplytstulpiai) are dedicated to the most prominent commanders of the Dainava partisan district: Colonel Juozas Vitkus-Kazimieraitis and Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas.