| The highest peak of Latvia the Gaizins is located here (311,6 m above the sea level). Beautiful scenery of hilly countryside, steep slopes, glens, a wide variety of scenery and plants, places radiating energy. Guided tours.Spring of K. Ulmanis In 1938 Gaizinkalns was visited by the President of Latvia of that time, K. Ulmanis (1877-1942) after whose suggestion a well was built over the spring so that travellers could refresh themselves with a sip of water. During his visit K. Ulmanis presented Gaizinkalns plants of 100 Edole cherries and 200 lindens. The cherries were planted in the span from “Lejas Gaizini” to Golgata valley, and the lindens were planted from Golgata valley to the estate “Garkajas”. Nowadays only separate trees have remained from the planting. The most romantic descent of Gaizins, Damu paradize, got its name thanks to the skiers of the gentler sex who have preferred this terrace type side of the hill for ages. The name Gaizins originated from the name Gaiszinis, because the hill is still considered to be a reliable weather predictor. If it is wrapped in fog or if foggy mist is rising from it, then no later than on the third day there will be rainfall. Already since 1957 this is a protected nature territory in which agroactivity was terminated, whereas in 1969 Gaizinkalns country park was established with the area of 53 ha, and in 1999 the area of the park was enlarged to 2026 ha. Looking over the descent of Damu paradize, a view opens to Blazu hill behind which rises the hillocks of Bolenu and Tomenu. Those who are lucky may see on the left side of the descent distant towers of the Cesvaine castle or the hillocks of Madona City. Looking over the Rietumu nogaze one may see Vestiena village in the distance, and in the hill valley between clumps of trees - little Avosina lake. Earlier, when the trees on the top of Gaizins haven’t bushed out yet, in clear weather one could see six churches’ towers in Ergli, Vestiena, Berzaune, Kalsnava, Lazdona and even Cesvaine, but in winter evenings candlelight in the windows of 9 municipalities could be seen. On the top of the hill there is an eight-edged concrete post with a cross on it. It is a “benchmark”- a height mark or an adjustment to geodetic surveying. On the sunset side of Gaizinkalns there is the Maza Golgata descent. Looking in the distance over the Maza Golgata descent, on the left there is the Taleja Lake with the big Velnakmens (Devil Stone) and the second highest hill – Sirdskalns (Heart Hill) (296.8 AMSL), and afar one can distinguish Vecpiebalga. A story tells that once upon a time the Curonians and Latgale’s Latvians lived in Vidzeme too, but here around Gaizins there was the Vidus land of which the name Vidzeme (Middle Land) originated. The weather conditions of Gaizinkalns are characteristic with that here, a winter begins two weeks earlier and ends two weeks later than elsewhere in Latvia. Golgats - descent of the northern side that has been used for skiing for the longest time. The first ski lift in Golgata was set up in 1965, but before that the skiers got up the hill on their own. And not only up the hill but to Gaizins itself people used to travel by foot or by skis from distances of 20 km. Viesura Lake, at the foot of the hill, is known under several names Kakisa, Vezu or even Devenas Lake. Its area is 166 ha, with the average depth around 10 m. The bottom of the lake is told to be very uneven, it has at least 4 highlands and each has been given a name. People tell that Gaizinkalns would be enough to fill up only a half of Viesura Lake. |
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