Dzelzkalni Church Hill

“Indriķis does not tell anything about the location of the first (Rubene) church. According to narrations provided by elderly people and my (K. Bukum’s) grandfather as an old inhabitant of Rubene, the first church was situated at the present Dzelzkalēji homestead of the Ķieģeļi Parish, on the hill. The church was made of wood, but thunder struck it and it burnt down up to its foundation.” (K. Bukums. Compiled by I. Ruberte. Valmiera County Tales (Valmieras novada teikas). 1999.) The name “church” denotes not only a Christian temple, but also ancient pagan shrines. Hill forts and other hills are often described in folklore by tales about sunk churches, the bells of which can still be heard at times; there are also tales and legends that people used to gather there at special occasions, that children were taken there for baptizing. On the highest points of such hills it is usually established that there used to be shrines with, probably, idols’ images at the corners and the central idol. Other names for such places are the Māra’s Shrine, Māra’s Church. These places are usually hillocks that stand out in scenery and can be seen at a distance; probably, roads from different directions led up there. It is possible that on the sites of ancient shrines later first wooden, then brick churches, chapels, bell towers were built. The sunk church is a metaphor in a way to the fact that ancient sacred sites have disappeared for good.” (J. Urtāns, 1990, Materials of LSSR IV Scientific Report Session on Archaeologist’ and Ethnographers’ Research Results of 1988-1989 (LPSR VI Zinātniskās atskaites sesijas materiāli par arheologu un etnogrāfu 1988.–1989. gada pētījumu rezultātiem))

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The proprietors use the territory as pastureland, for collecting hay. They wish that visiting is prior agreed upon.

Archive of the “Cult Identity” project

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  Antoni Devil's Stone
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  Bowl-Shaped Stone of the Vaidava Hillfort
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  Briņķi Pine Forest Spring
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  Kocēni Piltiņkalns Hill
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  Ogkalns Idols' Hill
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  Paistalas Devil's Stone
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  Vidzeme Circle
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  Vītolēni Devil's Watch
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  Zilaiskalns Hill with the Sacrificial Stone