Jānis’ Hill at Vedmeri

According to legends Jānis’ Hill acquired its name only in 1930s when it was artificially modified and created therefore the existance of the ancient shrine cannot be proved based on the existing material. At the same time its picturesque location, old oaks which exist in people’s memory as sacrifice oaks, at the neighbouring Raģi homestead, Vedmere camp dated with the middle of the 1st millenium AD and its second half lying at the foot of Jānis Hill, the hypothesis that it could be associated with Daugava Vedmeri and Raģi … freeholders, however the possibility cannot be excluded that this cab ne considered an ancient shrine. The Jānis Hill with its length axis is directed towards the Daugava River, i.e., the water reservoir of Riga Hydro Power Station and Spolīši Monk Hill – the hillfort on the opposite side of the Daugava River. Jānis Hill elevates above the surroundings for about 4 – 5 metres. At its end towards the Daugava River the figural depiction of a young man has been reconstructed. The sculpture was destroyed during the Soviet times. Apart from the image it features a dolomite staircase and inscription on the its foundation “To the power and freedom of the Spirit”. In earlier times the Jānis Hill belonged to Lejasķikusti homestead the owner of which was a participant of the fight for freedom, cavalier of Lāčplēšis War Order H. Deprejs. Growing on the hill are the trees planted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Zigfrīds Meirovics; in 1930s the President of Latvia Kārlis Ulmanis participated in the planting of the tree alley and oak grove (Vuškāns, 2004). The tree alley and individual planted trees have still survived in the levelled top of the hill. The end of the hill directed opposite the Daugava River has been dug with unlevelled tranches made by the German Army during World War I. On the hill there is a sculpture made by Tālivaldis Muzikants called ”Važu rāvējs” (“Chain Tearer”) (1994).