Ķēniņkalns Boulder

The size of the boulder according to the data of the Latvian Petroglyph Centre:
Height 1,90 m
Length 5 m
Width 3,7 m
Circumference 14,3 m
Area ~16 m³

Legend has it that the Ķēniņkalns Boulder is connected with the origin of the name of Mārkalne. On Holy Thursday morning, a young man rushed to the stream to bathe. He took a handful of cool water, washed his eyes and noticed silvery footprints. He followed them and soon met a gorgeously dressed virgin sitting on the Ķēniņkalns Boulder on a sunlit hill. The young man wanted to know who she was. “I am Māra, the goddess of earth and fertility. Everything will bloom, grow and blossom with my blessing”, she answered. The young man hurried home, humming to himself: “Māra – on the hill” (a hill – Latvian: kalns), but echoes rang around: “Mār-kal-ne-e-e”. So the parish got its name. Locals believe that one becomes stronger sitting on the Ķēniņkalns Boulder.

It is advisable to park the car in front of Ķēniņkalns houses and go to the stone along the forest edge. If you meet the owner in the yard, don’t forget to say hello!