Local archaeological heritage (State Inspection for Heritage Protection, No 2452). An ancient cult site. Tales narrate both about using the spring water for healing purposes, especially during the summer solstice, and about the site as a gathering place during important festivities. In tales also sacrificing to the spring was mentioned and that the nearby landowners took care of the surroundings. Several roads lead to the spring site; the spring itself is not in a good condition now. Other nearby objects: Sietiņiezis Rock, Mežuļi Springs, Straupnieki Pits. Gauja National Park’s Reserve Area, territory of Natura2000.
Narrative
“The Pabrenči Health Spring is situated in forested area, not far from the Pabrenči homestead in the Koki Parish, in Valmiera County. The spring flows out of a very steep hill loudly. In former times and also nowadays there are people who seek help at the spring, mostly for eyes. In former times people gathered at the spring during festivities related to name days, birthdays, at Jāņi (summer solstice celebration), Summer Festivities, etc., they played games there and danced. They sacrificed to the spring wool threads, worsted, money, etc. Especially on Māra’s Day they went there to wash themselves. Once some mischievous shepherd boy befouled the spring and it stopped flowing. It was witnessed by the mother of the proprietor of that time. She cleaned up the spring, threw a flower into it, and the spring started to flow again.” “The fact that the spring has some relation to tales is proved by the paths and trails leading to it over hills and valleys, which are partially overgrown but still visible. Also a ground were they even planted flowers; you can see that it used to be spruced up by people; but now it is overgrown with bush, enclosed by hills. It is very difficult to access the spring itself, a whole layer of ground has covered it, ground slids.” (23, 2537, In the Surroundings of Valmiera, recorded by K. Bukums, 1925. County Tales. Vidzeme (Novadu teikas. Vidzeme). Compiled by Laura Rezakova. – Rīga, Jāņa Rozes apgāds, 2007)
