Memorial Sites in Smiltene Municipality

SMILTENE AND SMILTENE RURAL TERRITORY

Krišjānis Barons Memorial Stone, Pils iela 3

  • The stone is located on Pils Street, next to Smiltene Music School.
  • Footprints are carved into the stone to commemorate Krišjānis Barons’, Latvia’s “Father of Dainas”, passage through Smiltene in 1859 during his journey on foot from Tartu to Dundaga.
  • The stone was unveiled in 1985; sculptor – O. Feldbergs.

Monument “The Broken Family”, Mazā Atmodas iela 2

  • The monument was created in memory of those deported to Siberia between 1941 and 1949.
  • he stone is split into three parts, depicting a mother and child, symbolising families torn apart during this period. Sculptor – Indulis Ranka.
  • The monument was unveiled on 11 November 1990.
  • 1990. In early November 1990, sculptor Indulis Ranka personally took part in installing the monument. 11. At the unveiling on 11 November, he said: “When representatives of the Smiltene Popular Front proposed creating a memorial stone two years ago, I considered it a great honour and agreed. What I could not express fully in my sculpture “Dainu kalns” (Dainu Hill), I realised here. Each day, working on this stone became more difficult. The stone resisted – perhaps the dark forces did not wish to retreat. The cracked stone lay by the roadside near Rauna, at “Vītoli”. When I saw the crack, I knew it was exactly what was needed; it helped the idea. At first, I hesitated to split it further, but just like the stone, the Latvian people – though once whole and beautiful – had been broken. Above the broken family rises the cross of a wounded yet resilient nation.”

Prince Paul Lieven Memorial Stone, Kalnamuiža

  • The memorial square is located in Smiltene Rural Territory, opposite the stairway leading into the town, the development of which Paul Lieven greatly supported.
  • He was not only noble by birth but also by spirit and humanitarian deeds.
  • At the centre of the small square, designed by architect Baiba Cīrule, stands a memorial stone adorned with a bronze relief portrait of Prince Paul Lieven and the inscription: “Gratitude to Prince Paul Lieven”.

Jakob Lange’s Resting Place, Cērtenes kapi, Smiltene

  • Jakob Lange (1711–1777) worked as a pastor in Smiltene, participated in Bible preparation, created the first German-Latvian and Latvian-German dictionary, founded schools, and advocated for Latvian education.
  • His resting place is located at the Cērtēne ancient burial grounds.
  • More information is available here.

Memorial Plaque to Elmārs Blīgzna, Dakteru iela 27

  • On 3 November 2019, a memorial plaque was unveiled at Smiltene Secondary School (27 Dakteru Street) in honour of former school principal, Elmārs Blīgzna. Under his leadership in the post-war years, the school became a cultural and artistic centre of the town.
  • “This memorial plaque is an expression of gratitude to Principal Elmārs Blīgzna, his beloved school, and the teaching staff for creating such an outstanding educational institution during the difficult post-war years.”
  • At the unveiling, Jānis Siliņš, board member of the Association for Community Development, said: “It is also a gift to the centenary of Latvia and a testament to what we Latvians can achieve when guided by bright ideas and free from provincial thinking.”

Vilhelms Purvītis Memorial Stone, Brutuļi, Smiltenes pagasts

  • Vilhelms Kārlis Purvītis spent about a year of his youth in Brutuļi. There, he worked as a mill apprentice to earn funds for his studies at the St Petersburg Academy of Arts.
  • The memorial stone was erected during the Soviet period to mark the centenary of the renowned artist and educator.
  • Purvītis was one of the most significant figures in Latvian art history.

 

APE

Elīna Zālīte Sculptural Portrait, Pasta iela 26

  • 1983. In 1983, a bronze sculptural portrait of the writer Elīna Zālīte was unveiled near Dāvis Ozoliņš Ape Primary School.
  • 2009. In 2009, the portrait was stolen. A new bronze casting was created thanks to successful cooperation with Art Academy lecturer and sculptor Kārlis Alains and the original author of the sculpture, sculptor Rasa Kalniņa-Grīnberga.
  • The restored sculpture was unveiled in 2016.

Aivars Liepa Memorial Stone, Pasta iela 26

  • A memorial stone dedicated to Aivars Liepa, the founder of applied mathematics in Latvia, who studied at Ape Secondary School.
  • 1969. In the autumn of 1969, Aivars Liepa, then dean of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics at the University of Latvia, founded the Distance Mathematics School. By thoughtfully guiding a small group of enthusiastic students while encouraging them to take responsibility and make important decisions, he contributed significantly to the rapid development of advanced mathematics education in Latvia.
  • Sadly, Aivars Liepa’s life was cut short. He passed away on 13 June 1979. Since then, the Correspondence Mathematics School has borne his name.

 

BLOME

Ķikuļu Jēkabs Memorial Stone, “Riņģi”, Blomes pagasts

  • The memorial stone of the courageous and talented Latvian farmer and poet, considered the first Latvian poet, Ķikuļu Jēkabs, is located near the Riņģi Moravian Church meeting house.
  • Jēkabs was not only a poet, but also a weaver and an practising Herrnhuter. He showed great courage by participating in peasant uprisings and expressing his grievances through letters.

 

RAUNA

Jānis Cimze Monument, Vidzemes iela 2, Rauna

  • Jānis Cimze was born on 3 July 1814, into the family of the Cimze half-manor overseer in the Rauna congregation.
  • 1989. On 20 June 1989, the monument by the sculptor Romualds Getauts was opened in the centre of Rauna. It was dedicated to the greatest countryman, Latvian educator, collector and arranger of folk songs, an organ player, the founder of Latvian choral singing and professional music, Jānis Cimze.

Sculptor Kārlis Baumanis Bas-relief, Valmieras iela 6, Rauna

  • Kārlis Baumanis was born in Rauna, and to mark his 100th birthday, a bas-relief created by sculptor Olita Nigule was installed in the centre of Rauna in 2016.

 

TRAPENE

Ojārs Vācietis Memorial Stone, “Skola”, Trapene

  • Poet and writer Ojārs Vācietis was born on 13 November 1933 in Dumpji, Trapene Rural Territory, and studied at Trapene Primary School from 1942 to 1948.
  • 1984. On 7 December 1984, a memorial stone dedicated to Ojārs Vācietis was unveiled near Trapene Primary School. Visitors are invited to warm the stone with their hands. As poet Imants Ziedonis said: “There will be as much warmth in the stone as we put into it.”
  • The monument bears the inscription: “I BELONG TO THIS LAND WITH ALL MY SENSES, ALL MY SMILES AND EXPRESSIONS.”
  • Sculptor of the memorial stone: Ainārs Zelčs.

Linards Laicens Monument “Bormaņi”, Trapene

  • At the beginning of the 20th century, Linards Laicens worked in Trapene as a gardener’s apprentice.
  • 1983. In 1983, a monument commemorating the writer and poet was installed near Trapene Manor.
  • Sculptor: Gaida Grundberga.

 

PALSMANE

Fridriha Daniela Vāra piemiņas vieta, Palsmanes pagasts

  • Friedrich Daniel Wahr served as pastor of the Palsmane Evangelical Lutheran Church for 56 years; he collected local folk songs and taught Latvian farmers practical knowledge, including potato cultivation and other agricultural skills.
  • The memorial site is located near Palsmane, along the Palsmane – Variņi road.