Location
State: Latvia
Region: Vidzeme
County: Kocēni
Parish: Vaidava
Other references to the location
In the Stoķi Cliffs, about 700 m south-east of the Stoķi homestead
Coordinates
lat=57.4111111111, lon=25.2591666667
57° 24′ 39″ N, 25° 15′ 33″ E
Description
Local archaeological heritage (State Inspection for Heritage Protection, No 2502). Healing power is attributed to the Stoķi Holy Spring; tales prove that water was mainly used for treating eye diseases. The spring flows out of the 5 m high Stoķi Cliffs where quite an impressive cave is situated — the Patkuls’ Cave (a 30 m long cave system, it was dug up and examined by G. Eniņš’ group). At present the cliffs near the spring have degraded under the influence of nature and humans. On the cave walls there have been different ancient inscriptions found, including Patkuls’ coat of arms that gave its name to the cave. Several ancient signs have been found as well. It is possible that they are related to some ancient healing rituals. (S. Laime, 2009) Nearby objects: Vaidava, Vaidava Lake, Antoni Stone, Sietiņiezis Rock. The cave has been determined as a monitoring station of resident bats. Geological geomorphological heritage, located in the Gauja National Park’s Reserve Area, territory of Natura2000.
Narrative
There are tales that in the seventeenth century there lived the baron Patkuls – a hater of Latvians. The Stoķi Holy Spring (Health Spring) flows out of the cave. They sacrificed to the spring because they believed that it could heal. If someone took the money left by other people, he would get the diseases instead. “Father called the Patkuls’ Cave in this name. On its steep slope there is a coat of arms. On the very top it seemed to him like a cross, there were some inscriptions as well. Patkuls was found at the Rubene Church hiding in a linden. He was claimed to be a war criminal during the Swedish times. Patkuls presented a chalice to the Rubene Church. On that chalice there was the same coat of arms as in the cave, that is why father called the cave Patkuls’ Cave.” (S. Laime, 2009)
Attraction
The object is attractive as a complex — the cliffs, the cave (at present it is caving in), the spring, the Strīķupe River flowing by. The fortification of the river bank is not quite esthetic.
Availability
Before the Stoķi homestead on the roads there are signs ‘Privātīpašums” (“Private Property”) (one of the ways how to reach the spring is to partially cross the Stoķi yard; a car has to be left at the signs). In the homestead’s yard there are dogs, they are sometimes unleashed. Further on behind the homestead there is an alley, at the end of which an indication sign has been installed “Alas 1 km” (“Caves 1 km”), although further in the forest there are no indication signs. From the place where you have to leave your car ~1.5 km. It should be taken into account that the sightseeing of the object can be hindered after long-lasting rains, as well as during spring flooding. It can be visited free of charge.
Infrastructure, management, facilities
A staircase leads to the object, the proprietors have fortified the river bank with sand sacks. Above the cliffs there is an offhand recreation site (the usage of which can be a reason for the partial caving-in). There is no other infrastructure.
Local info
No
Capacity
0 – 9
Publicity
Known
Legal Status
Private
Comments
At present the object is in a poor condition, and an increased number of visitors can endanger it. The bank of the Strīķupe River is partially fortified, but the spring flooding and beaver’ activities bring certain consequences.