MORE than a million people visit Medjugorje each year, thousands of
them Irish, and most come to climb the hill where six locals claim to
have first seen and spoken to the Virgin Mary in June 1981.It is
hard to find a pilgrim who does not speak of the peace and tranquillity
of Cross Hill, site of the supposed apparitions that turned a remote and
impoverished village into one of the most famous corners of Bosnia.Few
visitors make the short trip from Medjugorje to Surmanci. It is only a
few miles from Cross Hill, but far removed from the guest houses,
restaurants and souvenir shops of its revered neighbour.