Location
State: Latvia
Region: Kurzeme
County: Ventspils
Parish: Tārgale
Other references to the location
In the Tārgale village by a street leading to the Idols’ or Eglīši Cemetery on its left side, at the Vējroze homestead, on the side of the road, 25 m from a dwelling house, 80 m NNW from the Grantiņi homestead and 30 m from the homestead “Ilgas” situated on the opposite side of the large street.
Coordinates
lat=57.3288, lon=21.6449333333
57° 19′ 43″ N, 21° 38′ 41″ E
Description
The first news about the Kraupi Linden was provided in the first half of the 20th century by L. Ostupe. In autumn of 2011, the largest offsprings of the linden’s clump were 1.90 m, 1.42 m, and 0.55 m in circumference. Both largest trunks are old and with hollows.
Narrative
There are several testimonies dating back to the 20th century that the Kraupi Linden used to be an ancient holy tree. Katrīna Siliņa from the Beķeri of Tārgale (80 years old) narrated that the linden used to be also called “Buramliepa” (Witchcrafting Linden) — if there was some illness, one had to complain about the mischief at the linden and put “a flower from oneself” (i.e., some personal belonging). She had heard that in the linden there used to be scarves, ribbons with national ornaments (“prievītes”), and other things hung. The proprietor of the Avoti homestead told the expedition of autumn 2011 that yet at the beginning of 1980s he saw ribbons hung into the Kraupi Linden.
Attraction
Average
Availability
Very easily accessible. There are no information signs. The tree is located in a street belonging to municipality, leading to the Idols’ or Eglīši Cemetery, on its left side by the Vējroze homestead, on the road side.
Infrastructure, management, facilities
There have been no facilitation and maintenance works performed within the territory, no indication signs. An unaware person can miss the object easily not noticing it.
Local info
There is no information stand on site. Evidence about the tree is provided by Katrīna Siliņa from th
Capacity
0 – 9
Publicity
Known
Legal Status
Private
Comments
On the largest trunk of the linden’s clump there is a sign of swastika — though it is not known whether this is a child’s drawing or made during some cult activities.
