Location
State: Latvia
Region: Vidzeme
Town: Rujiena
Other references to the location
Go past the old Exhibition Hall, School Street 34
Coordinates
lat=57.890678, lon=25.341386
57° 53′ 26″ N, 25° 20′ 28″ E
Description
Nature territory of local significance (decision No 210, 20.10.1981.). It is located in Rūjiena, on the right bank of the Rūja River, behind the former priest’s manor park. Nowadays concrete rings have been placed in the spring and it is used as a well. Next to the spring there is a cross stone and a stone with an inscription. An art monument of local significance (resolution No. 210, 20.10.1981.). Local inhabitants call the cross stone the German Cross. The stone seems not to lie in its original place. The stone itself is made as a stylized cross. In the central part of the stone a ring has been driven in. About 50 m from the cross stone at the very bank of the Rūja River a granite block was shown which had been cut from all sides, slantingly toppled and is surrounded by bushes and nettles. On the downward facing stone surface there were hard-to-read letters and numbers carved with an iron tool: UPSI [GEG 1875 II].
Narrative
The landlady remembered the legend about a Swede who attacked either a castle or a church and was seriously injured. After that he managed to get to the sacred spring and healed himself with its water. This was commemorated by putting up a cross stone. It may indeed happen that next to the old cult site later a cross stone was placed as a symbol of Christianity. (J. Urtāns, 1985)
Attraction
The place is plain-looking, unattractive from the landscape point-of-view. The site is in a rather low relief, it overflows in spring.
Availability
Easily accessible
Infrastructure, management, facilities
No signs, however, if there is information about the site, it is not difficult to find. No infrastructure.
Local info
No. the proprietors willingly tell visitors about the spring.
Capacity
41 and more
Publicity
Known
Legal Status
Private