Hillforts in Aizvīķi

Guide in Aizvīķi: +371 29186717 Henrijs Ķeružis

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In the Aizvīķi parish of the South Kurzeme region, there are three hillforts that stand out from others in Latvia because they are arranged in a triangular formation, all located within less than a kilometer of each other. Strictly speaking, only one of them – Diždāmes – is a hillfort, while the Aizvīķi Hillfort was once a cult place, and Straujenieki Hillfort served as a sacred place.

In the Late Iron Age, and possibly even earlier, the Aizvīķi area was an important settlement center for the Curonian tribe.

Many legends have been passed down about these hillforts from ancient times to the present day. One such legend tells of a competition between coal miners and two wealthy lords who tried to build the highest hills.

In 2023, the local residents' association "Aizvīķu parks" placed stone-carved names of these hillforts at each site and takes care of their maintenance and accessibility as well.

Aizvīķi Hillfort
E. Brastiņš about Aizvīķi Hillfort (1922): This is an unusual type of hillfort in Kurzeme because it is located on a gentle rise surrounded by an earthen ring about 1 meter high. Around the earthen ring is a faint trench. The circular area, 32 meters in diameter, has three entrances from the south. There is only a minimal layer of habitation remains on the hill. The overall impression is that this hillfort was more of a sacred site than a fortress meant for protection. In the past, Midsummer celebrations were traditionally held here, a practice only abandoned during the German occupation.

Straujenieki Hillfort
Have you ever visited a hillfort where our ancestors would go to seek blessings for their harvest, spending the night there? According to legends, such was the Elku Kalns (Pagan Hill) in Aizvīķi. The official name is Straujenieki Hillfort, and although it is not very large, it is energetically more powerful than many similar sites. In life, what we believe in becomes our reality – it’s as simple as that. Maybe you too want to receive a blessing for something important in your life? /Aizvīķi Nature and Cultural History Space/

Diždāmes Hillfort
The hillfort is situated on a 14-meter-high land spur, naturally bordered by steep ravines on three sides. On the less protected northeastern side, the approximately 30 x 40 meter plateau of the hillfort is fortified with an almost five-meter-high rampart, a ditch, and another rampart about two meters high. The slopes and plateau of the hillfort are covered with large spruce trees.