Location
State: Latvia
Region: Zemgale
County: Kokneses
Parish: Kokneses
Other references to the location
2 km from Koknese, between “Rijnieki” and “Kalnakrogs” homes, 300 m from “Senci” home, 450 m to the right from Riga – Daugavpils main road. The stone is located aside of the old road, i.e. 35 m from it, 55 m direction NE from the flooded Daugava, in an open meadow, from which the Riga – Daugavpils main road is seen in distance.
Coordinates
lat=56.627077, lon=25.455218
56° 37′ 37″ N, 25° 27′ 18″ E
Description
Although the object is most often in single case, there are two different stones on site, which are traditionally referred to as one. Distance between the larger and smaller stone – 3,15 m. The nearby fields are full with stones and boulders; there are heaps of stones in some places. The surface of the smaller stone is completely flat and even (maximum length – 2,6 m, maximum width 1,7 m). Surface of the large stone is slanting, flat, maximum 3 x 3,4 m large, much more uneven and jagged than that of the smaller stone. Both stones are similar by composition – greyish, medium to fine-grained granite stones. Bears no carving or splitting marks due to human actions. Probably the stone was split during the glacier retreat. Circumference of the smaller stone is 7,7 m, that of the larger – 10,8 m. The larger stone bears many and various cracks. Maximum height of the smaller stone – 1,25 m, that of the larger on its top – 1,85 m. Both stones are around 60% overgrown with greyish lichen, but there is almost no moss on these: the smaller stone is not moss-overgrown at all, while the larger is 5% moss-overgrown on its slanting side. Both stones are almost completely (95%) out of the ground; well-visible and very scenic.
Narrative
One of the most widely-known mythological stones in Latvia. Udris Valdis. On the banks of the River Daugava (Daugavs krastos). // newspaper “Jekabpils Vestnesis”, 14 February 1935: „The story goes the Devil wished to take a stone from the River Daugava and block the River Gauja, but a cock had crowed in Pasta Manor and the stone had fallen out of the Devil’s hands. The stone, which had split into two parts, bears fingernail marks of the Devil. The stone may be found also nowadays – it is located not far from Pasta Manor.” Stories about the stone and the Devil are published very often and in various publications. Unfortunately the researchers have failed to find any signs or fingernail marks of the Devil on the stones. Much described in various sources. The related legends are of rather similar content – the Devil had brought a stone to block the River Daugava, a cock had crowed and the stone was split into two. According to another story the Devil had thrown the stone onto the witch’s hut and the Thunder, chasing after the Devil, had stroke the stone and thus it was split.
Attraction
Interesting nature object of heritage value.
Availability
Very easy accessible.
Infrastructure, management, facilities
No tourism infrastructure. Nearest town – Koknese, where the 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 sites and a tou
Local info
No information.
Capacity
41 and more
Publicity
Popular
Legal Status
Property of State
Comments
Archaeology monument – cult site.
