Project “Cult Identity” Newsletter, No. 2, January 2012

PROJECT „ANCIENT CULT PLACES FOR COMMON IDENTITY ON THE BALTIC SEA COAST ”

RESEARCHER'S REFLECTIONS ON THE ANCIENT SACRED PLACES IN RIGA PLANNING REGION Prof., Dr.hist., Dr.habil.art. Elk Mountain in Zem tes Lauci i, we were looking for two sepa- Health Source in Irlavas Pe i rate sacred sites with different Juris Urt āns (Fig. 1), Churchhill in Bab te, names – Churchhill of Menku i RPR leading specialist God's mountain in Me eles in the former , e ng a nal Skulte Parish and Kro u M l- Mapping, assessment and result is the same as initial list kalns in District documentation of the ancient (during field work only few ines- Highland Parish – on the spot sacred sites (hereafter – sacred sential changes were made), it turned out to be the same sites) in Riga Planning Region only two thirds of 97 sacred place. At first, list of sacred (hereafter - RPR) have been sites’ list were relatively secure. sites included relatively large started with necessity to com- The rest of them were not previ- number of so-called church pile a list of at least 100 ancient ously inspected, their existence, sites. From the beginning on it sacred sites what turned out to condition and potential value in was clear that this kind of sites be quite complicated to is very heterogeneous, undertake. Although it has some even contradictory. already been gathered Matkule Churchhill at sufficient amount of infor- Buse hill is considered to mation on various kinds of be authentic ancient sa- sacred sites, most of the cred site which is evi- data especially which denced by the location comes from folklore re- near by the ancient castle cords has no link to particu- hill and archaeological In this issue: Page lar site. As experience findings as well as folklore shows, finding such sacred and name related to sac- Researcher's reflec- 1 sites takes a lot of time and rality. The same would be tions on the ancient other resources, many sur- largely attributable to the sacred places in Riga veys, but in the end it still is Churchhill at Š rst nu planning region not guaranteed that the castle hill in Keipene. researched site is one of Other so-called church Finalizing Mapping 3 the sacred and can be sites are probably medie- and Assessment of found in the nature. For val, or more precisely - Natural Sacred sites these reasons, the previ- Catholic chapel sites from in Kurzeme Planing ously non localized sites times where the Region and Vidzeme were included in the object burials of local people Planning Region list very carefully, which were often have been turned out to be the right performed. In later times, Calendar of Activities 4 the Lutheran church de- January – August decision. Other problem was that nied and fought against the RPR is largely referred such sites severely pun- Contact Information 4 to Riga and its relative sat- ishing the visitors who ellite towns like Ogre, Jur- came to the ancient chapel mala, Sigulda, Saulkrasti. to practice variety of su- Highly urbanized area, perstitions, for instance, sharp change of local popu- making different offerings. lation and relief of the terri- Meanwhile Catholic tory created unfavourable Church tended to build conditions for preservation Fig. 1. Health Source in Irlavas Peņķi . Photo: chapels in the former of archaeological monu- J.T. Urtāns pagan worship sites. Such ments in general and sa- chapels, small and even cred sites, in particular. the context of the project was modest buildings, were popu- Thereby the vast majority of not known. On the one hand, it larly called as churches. To sacred sites which could be was exciting to search and find this kind belong sacred sites included in the list, had to be such sacred sites which were of Staiceles L ciems, Limba u looked away from Riga – in not previously widely known, on Jaunrezi, Skultes Menku i, northern part of Vidzeme and the other hand - a number of Zantes Venteri, Mazozolu central part of the northeastern sacred sites appeared to be Vaukši and others. Ruins of part of Kurzeme. confusion. For example, Va- church in Mazozoli J kalni Compiling the list of sacred trane's cup-marked stone turned have survived after World sites to be inspected, it became out to be a misunderstanding – War II and as folklore records clear that database of state pro- in its finder's opinion it was a indicate - this site is the an- tected monuments include infor- hollow marked sacred site, in cient sacred site. There were mation only on few, but not all fact - it was natural rock forma- three castle mounds surveyed sacred sites which are secure, tion. Or a stone located in within the project – hill of verified, localized and which Br vzemnieku Pociems was not Vidri u Kani i, Vi enes Un- could be used for the project approved as artificial hollow gurkalns and ancient hill of (e.g., Alojas Karogu hill, Sacrifi- stone as it was named before. Sidgunda, where according to cial Caves of Liv in Salacgr va, Another confusion was when nation churches were built.

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Inside Story Headline

Possibly when the mound was still small, it could not be A number of ancient sa- still in existence there was a sacred. In the same time cred sites became a part of sacred site known as church, modern people regard these new beliefs as well as new or that the Christian church or trees as sacred and associ- sacred sites are formed. For so-called chapel was built ated them with neoteric tradi- instance, a newly formed there in later times. But for tion. It is difficult to assume stone layer was found at example, the mound of Kan- that such outstanding trees as Matkules Busu plateau. Be- dava is called as churchhill Idol linden and Upurozols sides, there is a tree on the because its silhouette recalls growing at the rectory really sideline of the same mound the image of a church, but have had some connection plateau where tradition of folklore fixed in earlier times with paganism, i.e. in opposi- offerings is maintained. tolerates other explanations, tion to Christianity. Modern offerings are too. For instance, the stones In recent 20 years there has coins, garters, flowers, layers of Northern Vidzeme been large informative in- cloths, candles, etc. which in Fig. 2. Devil's ditch of Mazozolu Nāružas. st st Photo: J.T. Urtāns from 1 millennium B.C. - 1 crease about previously un- summer 2011 were found at millennium AD (Br vzemnieku known cup-marked stones in Sacrificial Caves of Liv in Aiš ni, Salacgr vas Krogkalni) . Inclusion of cup- Salacgr va, at Gutman's cave are popularly considered as marked stones in the list of in Turaida, at Ozoli u stone church sites. We can concede sacred sites is agreeable if in Staicele, bowl-shaped that people in the later times we keep in mind that they hollow stone of Liepupes did not recognize the graves could have another meaning, Tjas which is recently in stone layers and began to too. Several previously moved and placed in the regard them as sacred sites. known cup-marked stones center of the artificial stone In total, church related tradi- were surveyed such as cup- circle and bowl-shaped tions can be referred at least marked stone of Vidri u Ka i, hollow stone of Vilkene (Fig. to 27 from 97 of surveyed three stones of Matkules 4), on Salaspils the stone sacred sites. Buse, the so-called cup- head which is placed in the Another issue is the so- marked stone of O. Feldberg Dome Cathedral cloister, at called Devil's sites which (its original location remains cup-marked stones of more precisely are named as unknown, current location is Vidri u Ka i and elsewhere. mythological sites; archeo- Pedv le) and the recently Smes Kaives oak (Fig. 3) is logically they refer to grave discovered cup-marked wrapped in the national mounds of 1 st millenium B.C. - stone of Limba u Unkši. No belts and garters. Probably 1st millennium AD (e.g., Aloja doubt that also new cup- following the ancient leg- Fig. 3. Kaive oak wrapped in the national garters . Ezerkalni and Ungurmuiza, marked stones will be found ends and traditions also the Irlava Daibji,, Mazozolu in RPR territory. devil's head was installed at Balti i). Nevertheless sites Another problem appears Ezerkalns Devil's lap in Aloja were not considered as hu- referring large and extra (Fig. 5) which was made man burial sites in later times, large sites to the conven- from wooden block and but sacred meanings were tional concept of sacred sites; goat's horns. Perhaps also assigned to them. Mythologi- mostly these sites are under- Midsummer celebration cal devil's sites are usually stood as a sacred landscape. places can be regarded as well known, set in relief and Normally they do not have the new sacred sites in case visually remarkable (e.g., expressed central point or that people celebrate this Devil's cave in Alojas place (not excluding possi- pagan holiday every year in Graudi i, Devil's cave of V k- bility that one could have) the same place. snas, Devil's stone and Devil's thus they are perceptible as Object inventory brought Cave in Matkule, Devil's foot sacred sites as a whole. To additional results to the pro- of Lanks de, Devil's stone of such a geographically large ject discovering sacred sites Z eri and Devil's heel of sacred sites which might which respond to all criteria Mazskudras, Devil's stone of already be named the sacred to be included in the List of Fig. 4. Hollow stone of Vi ene. Photo: J.T. Urt ns Lauberes An ii, Devil's ditch landscape belong Br vzem- state protected cultural heri- of Mazozolu N ru as (Fig. 2), nieku Holly Lake, Holly River tage monuments, as exam- Devil's stone of Rembates of Northen Vidzeme, Holly ples could be mentioned Sieti i, Devil's caves of Kri- Lake of Limba i, Baišleja of Devil’s Cave of Staiceles mulda and In ukalns etc.). Katvari and Vann šu Graudi i, Devil’s Cave of Overall, 25 from 97 of sur- (Katvaru) Lake, Ropa u Vksnas, stone with bowl- veyed sacred sites are related Devil's lake and marsh, Vie- shaped hollow of Liepupes to tradition of Devil. satu hill of God etc. Tjas, cup-marked stones of Many trees of different kind Particular satisfaction gave Vidri u Unkši, hollow stone were surveyed although they the identification of sacred of Vi ene (Fig. 4), cup- belonging to sacred sites was sites which were not previ- marked stones of Buse Cas- very sceptically viewed (e.g., ously widely known and the tleHill etc. lindens of Limba u Ikski i and present inventory was the Overall, the inventory of Skomaki, oaks of Umurgas first opportunity to investi- sacred sites in RPR territory Lieplejas, Oaks of S ja and gate and promote them. As led us see in short time limit Kaive (Fig. 3), Idol linden of examples can be mentioned - the current state of one of Pedvale). Tree as a living Graudi u J a hill of Staicele, Latvian cultural identities in organism has determined Mazskudru Devil's heel of particular region and it gave lifetime; tree obtains its size Matkule, Br vzemnieku the material to evaluate the Fig. 5. Devil's head formation at Ezerkalns Devil's and excellence over a longer Spri u Holly site, Limba u sacred preservation and lap in Aloja. Photo: J.T. Urt ns time span, which means that Jaunr zu Church hill, Oškalns involvement of the wider in earlier times, when it was of Birzgale and many others. cultural activities.

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FINALIZING MAPPING AND ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL SACRED SITES IN KURZEME PLANNING REGION

Kurzeme Planning This is a very important is important to explain these Region task to work with- to draw sites and their role to public

During autumn 2011 expe- ditions to sacred sites contin- ued and now 95 sacred sites in Kurzeme region are vis- ited. The project expert team On the way to Ozolu Sv kl Photo: from Kurzeme has come to conclusions that Planning Region archive there are only a dozen of sacred sites which can be promoted to public. They are the ones which are not sensi- tive, are attractive looking, easily accessible and with exciting and informative sto- ries. Several attractive look- ing sites are already popular among tourists (e.g. M ras kambari, Ventas rumba) but Gr zu Velna ben is. Photo: from Kurzeme Planning Region archive mostly not because of their historical role as sacred sites media and public attention in an attractive and inspiring but as picturesque nature to these places which way which will be the main objects. Tourism regarding keep exciting stories task for the project team in Saules akmens. Photo: from Kurzeme Planning sacred sites in Kurzeme is not about our past, traditions next periods. Region archive very common and popular. and beliefs. We believe it

FINALIZING MAPPING AND ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL SACRED SITES IN VIDZEME PLANNING

Vidzeme Planning ested parties about the sa- cred sites in the region and Region their potential for tourism. Lecturers from Vidzeme Vidzeme planning region University of Applied Sci- (VPR) team of experts led by ences and VPR external Baiba Baika gathered informa- experts Ilze Gr nfelde and tion from existing databases Andris Klepers gave an and other information sources assessment of the sacred on 100 sacred sites. The infor- sites in VPR. Thanks for the mation was gathered in written seminar, the region has and digital (photos, descrip- increased the interest in the tions, studies, archaeological sacred sites - experts re- studies, folklore, stories of ceive phone calls and e- local people etc.) formats. All mails with a request to look sacred sites have surveyed in at an several objects, to nature and immortalized in collaborate in the prepara- photographs. Although the tion of future projects, as data collection work is offi- well as to participate in dif- cially completed the informa- ferent kind of tourism tion will be regularly updated. events. The experts made owner- In the end of the 2011th ship analysis, which revealed team of external experts that most of the objects are started object selection for located in private property - Dreima u Devil’s Oak . Photo: from Vidzeme tourism pilot-routes. Experts 62, 17 objects are on the State Planning Region archive chose different criteria, Land, while the 10 sacred sites which includes the attrac- are located on the land owned tiveness, availability, folk by local governments. About stories, and object sensitiv- the 11 objects information will ity. The experts also take Paistalu (above) and A šu (below) be gathered further. into account information In early December, VPR from scientific studies and Devil’s Stones Photo: from Vidzeme organized a seminar for inter- folklore sources. Planning Region archive

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CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES JANUARY – AUGUST 2012

January – April • 27.01.Expert seminar "Natural sacred sites - tour- ism potential in the Baltic Sea region" organized in Vidzeme Planning Region for tourism specialists, information centers, experts on cultural heritage, municipalities and others. • Series of meetings, workshops, discus- sions with selected experts, landowners and enthusiasts in order to dis- cuss structure, layout and promotion of poten- tial tourism-routes.

April • Finalizing of Development and Management Strat- egy of sacred sites.

March - August • Meetings with owners of sacred sites in order to discuss potential pilot-routs. • Elaboration and publishing of project brochure with mapped sacred sites; • Development of information stands lay- out and concept ideas.

May - June • PSG and PMT meeting in Zemgale Planning Region. • Experience exchange seminar to discuss preserva- tion and protection issues of natural sacred sites (potential dates June 5-7, 2012). • Preparation and publishing the guide handbook „Ancient Sacred Sites in Zemgale„.

August • Development of project presentation materials.

CONTACT INFORMATION Riga Planning Region Vidzeme Planning Region Zemgale Planning Region 18 Zigfr da Annas Meierovica blvd. 8-108 J a Poruka Str., 2b Kato u Str., Rga, LV-1050, Csis, LV-4101, Jelgava, LV-3001, Latvia Latvia Latvia www.rpr.gov.lv www.vidzeme.lv www.zemgale.lv Länsmuseet Gävleborg Hiite Maja Foundation Kurzeme Planning Region Box 746, S -801 28 Postbox 136, Tartu 4-1 Elizabetes Str., Gävle Estonia Rga, LV-1010, Sweden 41004 Latvia www.lansmuseetgavleborg.se www.hiis.ee www.kurzemesregions.lv