Stone from the Slate pine-forest – God’s table

Location

State: Latvia
Region: Zemgale
County: Jēkabpils
Parish: Rubenes

Other references to the location

On the Northern side of Slate pine forest, in the bushes of an overgrown clearing, around 160 m direction S from Silagals – Mazslate road.

Coordinates

lat=56.2133333333, lon=25.9480555556
56° 12′ 47″ N, 25° 56′ 53″ E

Description

Dimensions of the stone: length – 3,6 m, width – 2,9 m, height up to 1 m, circumference – 11,20 m, volume – around 5 m3. Large-grained red granite. No carvings.

Narrative

In 2010, when Juris Urtans surveyed Slate pine forest, he got to know from the local woman – A.Rublevska – that direction South from the home “Ergli” where her grandmother lived and which is located next to Sila road and of which there are only ruins left, there are two large stones in Slate pine forest, one of which is called God’s Table and the second one, located further away from the first one – God’s Chair. The stones were called like that by Ilze Erglits, wife of the soldier Jekabs Pupa from “Ergli” home. The name of the stones could also refer to other legends about the God’s and Devil’s people from Slate, a stone carried by the Devil, a witch, etc. Both stones are located approximately 50 m direction East from the last Slate ancient burial ground I hillock and approximately the same distance or slightly further direction North-East from Slate Ezerpurvs bog II settlement.

Attraction

Rather interesting as a probable ancient cult site; by size – secular stone of local significance.

Availability

Hard to access. Located in an overgrown forest clearing, very low visibility. The access depends on the season – during the months, when the trees are not yet burst into leaves and the grass is not completely long, the stone may be easier to be found. Still – it is hard to find the stone in the large area.

Infrastructure, management, facilities

No tourism infrastructure in direct vicinity. Nearest town – Akniste, where one shall find tourism infrastructure: a shop, a catering site, and sightseeing objects.

Local info

No information.

Capacity

0 – 9

Publicity

Known

Legal Status

Property of State

Comments

Recommendation: look for the stone by coordinates.