Location
State: Latvia
Region: Vidzeme
County: Amata
Parish: Amata
Other references to the location
In the ravine of the Skujupe River, about 600 m south of the place where the Skujupe crosses the road (up the river) Amata–Melturi; the nearest inhabited homestead is the Spuģi.
Coordinates
lat=57.1972222222, lon=25.2905555556
57° 11′ 49″ N, 25° 17′ 26″ E
Description
The Skujas Sacrificial Stone (also the Skujupe Sacrificial Stone) is of impressive dimensions; it is a red rapakivi granite formation of a roundish form. The location site is difficult to reach; the name and tales that there were children baptized could point at its association with ancient cult objects. The circumference of the stone is 13 m, height of 2.8 m, length of 4.65 m, width of 3.65 m. Currently it is split, on top of it large dead fir-trees have fallen. Nearby is the Kalnasmīžu Spring, Āraiši Lake Castle, Āraiši Church, Amatciems. Located in the property of the JSC Latvia’s State Forests.
Narrative
There are tales that children were baptized at the stone. (Cēsis District Council, 2001, Get to Know the Cēsis County (Iepazīsti Cēsu novadu.) “Every spring early in the Jurģi morning all people of Skujas used to go to the stone to bring meal to Ūsiņš, so that he would take care of horses and bees all year round. But Jūlīte (Jūle Paegle, grandmother of the county researcher Melānija Vanaga, born in 1858) narrated that in early childhood at this sacrificial stone her father Mārcis was baptized. The stone is situated in the middle of the river and is resting on its narrower side as a huge, green, angulate crystal wrapped up into a moss blanket. The people of Skujas called the sacrificial stone briefly — only the Stone. I think we can call it now the Skujas Sacrificial Stone.” (G. Eniņš. 1993. Pēdējais upurakmens.)
Attraction
The stone itself is impressive, though the view is spoiled by the huge fir-tree trunks fallen upon it, as well as the unattractive road to the stone.
Availability
The stone is located in the overgrown river ravine, covered with underbrush and scattered with fallen trees. No indication signs. It can be visited free of charge. It cannot be practically found if not accompanied by a well-informed guide.
Infrastructure, management, facilities
No
Local info
No
Capacity
0 – 9
Publicity
Known
Legal Status
State property
