Location
State: Latvia
Region: Vidzeme
County: Mazsalaca
Parish: Sēļi
Other references to the location
In the north end of the overgrown Aņģi Lake (Aņģīši Swamp), about 500 m north-west of the Dreimaņi Devil’s Oak
Coordinates
lat=57.8516666667, lon=25.1755555556
57° 51′ 6″ N, 25° 10′ 32″ E
Description
State archaeological heritage (State Inspection for Heritage Protection, No 2484). A footprint stone associated with tales about the Devil that was held for the homestead’s master by the proprietors of the nearby Dreimaņi homestead. It is quite small, the dimensions of the surface: length of 1.3 m and 1.2 m. Nearby are other quite large stones, from which this one differs with seven enlarged sheep footprint reproductions. All footprints are placed in a 1 m long row. Some are deeper, others are shallower (length of 8–10 cm, width of 4.5–6 cm, depth of 1–3.5 cm). The stone used to be detonated. It is possible that footprint formations are of natural origin, but people levelled them out later on. The Aņģīši Devil’s Stone is a typical example of a Latvian footprint stone — not too large, footprint carvings are schematic, it is located in a remote place — in the woods or swamp. (J. Urtāns. Footprint Stones, Boundary Stones, Trough Stones (Pēdakmeņi, robežakmeņi, muldakmeņi). 1990.) Other nearby objects: Dreimaņi Devil’s Oak.
Narrative
Teika no P. Šmita pasaku un teiku sakopojuma. „Tuvējo Dreimaņu māju saimnieks par mājas dievu jeb „mājas kundziņu” turējis Velnu, kas palīdzējis saimniekam krāt un sargāt naudu. Par to saimnieks Velnu ēdinājis. Sākumā Velns dzīvojis ozolā pie mājas, vēlāk viņš pārvācies uz dzīvi rijā un beidzot pašā mājā. Velns mēdzis baidīt vēlīnus garāmgājējus, un tie, nelabā atpirkdamies, nesuši tam ziedojumus un ēdienu. Bet reiz naktī izcēlies ugunsgrēks, Velns nobijies un mucis prom pār lauku uz Aņģa ezera pusi, meties ezerā un nozudis. Vien skrienot ezermalas akmenī atstājis savas pēdas.” Stāsts par pēdām liek uzlūkot šo par pēdakmeni. (Emma Vēbere, Sēļu pag.; sast. I. Ruberte. Valmieras novada teikas.1999.; J. Urtāns. Pēdakmeņi, robežakmeņi, muldakmeņi. 1990)
Attraction
An interesting stone; surroundings are natural, it has not been specially spruced up.
Availability
There are indication signs at the Dreimaņi Devil’s Oak and further in the field (direction). About 200 m on foot, the road has been damaged by forest machinery; the object is on the edge of a swamp, partially in an underbrush forest. It can be visited free of charge.
Infrastructure, management, facilities
An information stand on the site
Local info
An information stand on the site
Capacity
0 – 9
Publicity
Known
Legal Status
Private
