The monument, created by sculptor Kārlis Zemdega, is dedicated to the members of the Rauna congregation who fell during the First World War and the Latvian War of Independence. Originally one of the unrealised design proposals for the Freedom Monument in Riga (where it ranked third in the competition), it was unveiled in Rauna on 20 August 1933. The opening ceremony was attended by Albert Kviesis, the third President of the Republic of Latvia.

• The monument’s original title was “ES DŪR”, symbolising a spear transforming into a kokle (national Latvian musical instrument), with the spiritual power of song saving the nation.
• The base of the monument bears the words of Latvia’s national anthem, “God Bless Latvia”, written by Baumaņu Kārlis.
• The monument is 9 metres high.

PBefore the monument’s unveiling in 1933, residents of Rauna planted an oak avenue – the Heroes’ Alley – while landscaping the surrounding area. Each of the planted oaks served as a memorial tree for a member of Rauna Rural Territory, who died during the Latvian Freedom Battles. A bottle with the name and brief life history of the deceased soldier was buried under each of the planted oaks. Later, in 1937, the names of the fallen were engraved on a white marble plaque placed inside the church.

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More information is available on the Rauna Castle Tourism Audio Guide website: pils.rauna.lv

Historical photos from the archive of the Rauna Cultural and Historical Heritage Centre.