Lejas Sacred Spring (Sacrificial Spring)

Description

The Lejas Sacred Spring is often called Upuravots – the Sacrifice Spring. Essentially it is a rather big climbing spring which starts in the slope of the valley. By the chemical structure of the water it is an iron-rich spring which is also evidenced by the orange deposits in the bed of the spring. The discharge place of the spring is facilitated – the spring flows out under a picturesque shed which is constructed as an ancient building.

Narrative

In ancient times in the spring there was a wooden floor with a pavement of fist-size stones under that (such data were recorded by archeologist Andrejs Vasks in 1976). The people believe that the water of the spring has healing powers. The legend has it that near to the spring there used to be a church; according to other sources there was an ancient burial site not far from the spring in the field.

Location

Coordinates: 56.15296, 21.22225

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Comments

Next to the Lejas Sacred Spring there is a local significance border stone which can be viewed 7.5 metres from the spring access place at the NE corner of the shed, 4 m from the spring bed, on its left side, 1 m left from the path to the spring. 2.5 m before the stone there is a sign with the name of the sacred spring.

Photo, video

Archive of the “Cult Identity” project