Apparition Hill, a site of deep spiritual significance in Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is renowned for being the location of the first reported apparitions of Our Lady (the Virgin Mary). These apparitions commenced on June 24, 1981, on the hill known as Podbrdo, several hundred meters above the Bijakovići hamlet.

The initial vision involved six children witnessing a beautiful young woman with a child in her arms. The site, also known as Crnica, has since become a prominent pilgrimage destination.
 

A steep path leads from Bijakovići to the apparition site, and in 1989, the parish installed bronze reliefs along this path, depicting the Joyful and Sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary. These were created by Italian sculptor Carmelo Puzzolo, who also crafted the Stations of the Cross on both the Cross Mountain and Apparition Hill.
 

At a location halfway up the path, a wooden cross marks the place where visionary Marija Pavlović received a message of peace from Our Lady, emphasizing the importance of peace between men and God and among people. This message, "Peace, peace, peace, and only peace! Peace must reign between men and God and among people," has become a central theme of the Medjugorje apparitions.
 

For many years, a simple wooden and later aluminum cross marked the exact spot of the apparitions. On the 20th anniversary, a marble statue of Our Lady, crafted by Italian sculptor Dino Felici, was installed at this location. This statue and the cross have become focal points for the millions of pilgrims who visit this site, many of whom climb the path barefoot and sometimes on their knees despite the challenging terrain.
 

Today, Apparition Hill remains a significant site of prayer and reflection for pilgrims worldwide, drawing attention to the messages of faith, peace, and reconciliation reportedly conveyed by Our Lady of Medjugorje​​.

 

Cross Mountain, known as Križevac, is a significant religious site located about one kilometer from the church of Medjugorje. This mountain, an extension of Crnica Hill and rising 520 meters above sea level, holds a concrete cross 8.56 meters high, constructed by the parishioners of Medjugorje in 1934. This monumental cross commemorates the 1900th anniversary of Jesus Christ's Passion, bearing the inscription, “To Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the human race, as a sign of their faith, love and hope, in remembrance of the 1900 years since the death of Jesus.”

The idea for this cross originated from the Vatican, specifically from Pope Pius XI's proposal to erect crosses on hills and mountains globally to mark this significant anniversary. The parish priest of Medjugorje, Fr. Bernardin Smoljan, enthusiastically embraced this idea, and with the support of his parishioners, the cross was constructed within three weeks. Notably, the cross contains a relic from the True Cross, believed to be the cross on which Jesus was crucified. This relic, housed in the Church of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem in Rome, was a gift from Pope Pius XI.

Since its construction, Cross Mountain has become a central point of pilgrimage, particularly after the reported apparitions of Our Lady in Medjugorje. The mountain does not draw visitors for its natural beauty or the mere presence of the cross but because of its deep spiritual significance connected to the Medjugorje apparitions. Many pilgrims have reported seeing various luminous and other "signs" on the cross, interpreting them as linked to the messages of peace conveyed through the apparitions.

To enhance the spiritual journey, bronze reliefs depicting the Stations of the Cross, crafted by Italian sculptor Prof. Carmelo Puzzolo, were added in 1988. These stations have become integral to the pilgrims' devotions, with Our Lady featured in each station, symbolizing her accompanying both Jesus and the faithful in life's challenges. Regular masses, such as the Holy Mass celebrated on the first Sunday after the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and weekly prayers of the Way of the Cross, underscore the mountain's role in fostering faith and contemplation among visitors

Since the reported apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Medjugorje began on June 24, 1981, the six visionaries have had varied experiences:

Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez (born 1966) had daily apparitions until May 7, 1985. Since then, she receives an apparition annually on June 25. She lives in Medjugorje with her family and focuses her prayers on families.
Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo (born 1965) experienced daily apparitions until December 25, 1982. She now has an apparition yearly on March 18, her birthday, and hears Our Lady's voice on the second day of each month, praying for unbelievers. Mirjana resides in Medjugorje with her family.
Vicka Ivankovic (born 1964) continues to have daily apparitions. She lives in Krehin Gradac near Medjugorje with her family, focusing her prayers on the sick.
Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti (born 1965) also continues to receive daily apparitions. Through her, Our Lady gives monthly messages on the 25th. Marija lives with her family in Italy and Medjugorje, praying for the souls in purgatory.
Ivan Dragicevic (born 1965) still experiences daily apparitions. He lives with his family in the USA and Medjugorje, focusing his prayers on young people and priests.
Jakov Colo (born 1971) had daily apparitions until September 12, 1998. He now receives an apparition annually on Christmas Day. Jakov resides in Medjugorje with his family, dedicating his prayers to the sick​​​​​.

The Medjugorje visionaries have been entrusted with ten secrets by the Blessed Virgin Mary, which contain information about future events affecting both the Church and the world. Three of the visionaries, Mirjana, Ivanka, and Jakov, have received all ten secrets, while Ivan, Marija, and Vicka have received nine. The content of these secrets has not been fully disclosed, but they are known to include both blessings and chastisements for the world.

Among these secrets, the third one is particularly notable as it involves a visible, permanent sign on Apparition Hill in Medjugorje, described as beautiful, indestructible, and not of this world. This sign is intended as a message for atheists and conversion; However, the visionaries are urging the faithful not to wait for this sign to convert but to do so promptly, as the time leading up to the sign's appearance is a period of grace.

Mirjana, one of the visionaries, will play a key role in revealing the secrets. Ten days before the first and second events of the secrets occur, she will inform Franciscan priest Father Petar Ljubicic about what is to happen. He will then fast and pray for seven days, and three days before the event, he will announce publicly what is expected to occur and where. This process suggests an urgent call for conversion and reconciliation, emphasizing that the time for conversion will be limited after the visible sign appears, and for many, it may be too late.

The ninth and tenth secrets are said to be particularly serious, involving chastisement for the sins of the world. While prayer and penance can diminish the severity of these events, they cannot be completely averted. The seventh secret, which was initially a punishment for humanity, has reportedly been canceled due to the response of prayer and fasting, highlighting the power of such spiritual practices.

Mirjana has emphasized the urgency of these events, stating that they are very near, and Mary is calling for immediate conversion and openness to God and His Divine Will.