Location of the 6 travelling cup-marked stones of the Vinakalns Hill

Location

State: Latvia
Region: Zemgale
County: Pļaviņu
Parish: Klintaines

Other references to the location

In Klintaine parish, direction NW from the Vinakalns castle mound. Five cup-marked stones were discovered by Andris Grinbergs and other enthusiasts on 31 March 2007. The sixth and the smallest of all was discovered later – on 18 April 2007 – by Janis Cepitis and Lilija Jakubenoka. On 21 April 2007 a special expedition (A.Grinbergs, J.Cepitis, L.Jakubenoka, D.Cepure) was organised and all six cup-marked stones were brought to the Aizkraukle Museum in “Kalnaziedi” due to safety reasons.

Coordinates

lat=56.6016, lon=25.6425
56° 36′ 5″ N, 25° 38′ 32″ E

Description

The hill is the upper part of a gently sloping Daugava valley wall, a rounded extension thereof, and there is a meadow and an apple orchard on it.

Narrative

The hill is a significant place, where the six portable cup-marked stones were found. There is no other place in the Baltic States, where it was known that so many of the small cup-marked stones would have been found in one single place. Probably, an ancient holy place was located on the hill.

Attraction

Scenic hill offering a wide view to the Daugava valley and the nearby Stukmani Manor.

Availability

Very easy accessible.

Infrastructure, management, facilities

No tourism infrastructure. Nearest towns – Koknese and Plavinas. Koknese: Koknese castle ruins, Liktendarzs/ The Fate Garden (in 2011 it is not yet finished), Koknese park and manor buildings and other objects found. There are shops, accommodation si

Local info

No information.

Capacity

41 and more

Publicity

Known

Legal Status

Property of State

Comments

Not far from this place is the Vinaklana castle mound and the Stukmani Manor buildings. Extended article about findings in this place is provided in the journal “Vides Vestis” No.7/8 from 2007.