Liede Hills

Description

State archaeological heritage (State Inspection for Heritage Protection, No 830). The Liede Hills are a range of 8 – 9 small hills situated in an even area on the bank of the Liede River. The hill fort is the second hill from the bridge across the Liede River in the direction of NE. The Māra Hill cult site is on the third hill. Both hills are about 10–12 m high, their steep slopes become more gentle at the foundation. On the hillf ort an intensive, 0.5 m deep cultural layer has been found. No fortification work has been detected in the Māra Hill, its cultural layer is slightly shallower than on the hill fort. The excavations provide for attributing the ancient site to the 1st millennium AD. (EKM Hill Forts of Latvia (Latvijas pilskalni), 1998). The hill names, their cultural layers and legends suggest that there used to be a wooden castle on the Hillfort, however at both hills next to it there could have be the shrines attributable to the Hillfort. Such proximity of hill forts and cult hills is common in all regions of Latvia. (J. Urtāns. Latvian Ancient Shrines (Latvijas senās svētnīcas). County geomorphological heritage.

Narrative

According to a tale, on the Zvana kalns (Bell Hill) there was a church and once a peasant damned it saying “Let the devil yank this church!” — and the church sank. It is still possible to hear the ringing of its bell on the hill. The recorded tales say that once there used to be an idol in the Māra Hill. Another version is that in the hill huge treasures were hidden which have been searched by all – the owner of the nearby Aduliena manor as well as three priests and some fortune teller. Besides, when the people still believed, a golden calf ran around the Māra Hill, however, since the people ceased to believe, it has been lying under the hill. Moreover, about the Liede River it is known that the devil excavated the river on his flee from the cross. (J. Urtāns. Latvian Ancient Shrines (Latvijas senās svētnīcas) It is believed that the Liede Hills were shovelled with caps during the Swedish times and in one of the hills there is believed to be a cellar the keys of which are guarded by a dog. However, it is forbidden to dig the money hidden in the hill fort because the digger would then become blind. (www.jaungulbene1w.lv)

Status

Informācija Nacionālā kultūras mantojuma pārvaldes reģistrā.

Location

Koordinātas: 57.09108, 26.60493

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Comments

For the enthusiasts of active recreation it is possible to acquire climbing skills in the Liede Hills.

Photo, video

Archive of the “Ancientsites.lv” project