Local archaeological heritage (State Inspection for Heritage Protection, No 2502). Healing power is attributed to the Stoķi Holy Spring; tales prove that water was mainly used for treating eye diseases. The spring flows out of the 5 m high Stoķi Cliffs where quite an impressive cave is situated — the Patkuls’ Cave (a 30 m long cave system, it was dug up and examined by G. Eniņš’ group). At present the cliffs near the spring have degraded under the influence of nature and humans. On the cave walls there have been different ancient inscriptions found, including Patkuls’ coat of arms that gave its name to the cave. Several ancient signs have been found as well. It is possible that they are related to some ancient healing rituals. (S. Laime, 2009) Nearby objects: Vaidava, Vaidava Lake, Antoni Stone, Sietiņiezis Rock. The cave has been determined as a monitoring station of resident bats. Geological geomorphological heritage, located in the Gauja National Park’s Reserve Area, territory of Natura2000.
Narrative
There are tales that in the seventeenth century there lived the baron Patkuls – a hater of Latvians. The Stoķi Holy Spring (Health Spring) flows out of the cave. They sacrificed to the spring because they believed that it could heal. If someone took the money left by other people, he would get the diseases instead. “Father called the Patkuls’ Cave in this name. On its steep slope there is a coat of arms. On the very top it seemed to him like a cross, there were some inscriptions as well. Patkuls was found at the Rubene Church hiding in a linden. He was claimed to be a war criminal during the Swedish times. Patkuls presented a chalice to the Rubene Church. On that chalice there was the same coat of arms as in the cave, that is why father called the cave Patkuls’ Cave.” (S. Laime, 2009)
