Location
State: Latvia
Region: Riga
County: Salaspils
Parish: Salaspils
Other references to the location
Dole Island, 150 m W from Jāņkalni homestead
Coordinates
lat=56.85717, lon=24.25267
56° 51′ 25″ N, 24° 15′ 9″ E
Description
Jānis’ Hill lies on Dole Island on the bank of the Daugava River. In earlier times it was not covered with trees, well visible from larger surroundings. Since long the locals have come here to celebrate the Midsummer Eve; most likely, this explains the origin of its name. Jānis’ Hill is associated with unclear legends about hidden treasure, hollow core and detection of human bones. The hill is a loaf-like relief elevation which is around 3 – 4 m high and 25 x 35 m large. On the NW slope sand has been once excavated; now the old pits have filled up with greenery. There have been holes in other parts of the hill, however, they have levelled off over time. The soil in the hill consists of yellow sand. Not far from Jānis’Hill there used to be Ķivutkalns Hill – the hillfort where people lived during the 1st millennium BC and still before that there was a burial place. It is possible that Tuļģi Jānis’ Hill as a shrine could have been connected with the inhabitants of Ķivutkalns.
Narrative
See attachment
Attraction
Unattractive
Availability
Easily accessible, on the side of the road
Infrastructure, management, facilities
On the side of a rural road
Local info
Nav
Capacity
0 – 9
Publicity
Unknown
Legal Status
Private
Comments
There are no signs to Tuļģi Jānis Hill either when passing on the Dole island or closer to the hill, or immediately at the hill. The function of the signs can be served by other signs indicating directions to Tuļģi and Jāņkalni homesteads. Jānis Hill is covered with young pine trees; the SE side of the hill is well looked after, i.e., the underbrush has been cut, grass mowed and there is a clear view of the hill. The above-mentioned homestead signs have been placed in this territory. The other side of the hill, i.e., NE, is not looked after and has overgrown with thick underbrush. The road along the hill was being paved at the moment of the visit.