Veclaicene

Vidzeme

Listen to the landscape

Veclaicene is one of the most beautiful regions in northern Latvia with its forested hills and lakes. Ancient fort mounds, sacred cult places and ancient burial grounds show that the Veclaicene area has been inhabited for many centuries. The Druski castle mound has the steepest and highest slopes and offers views of Saules kalns (Sun Hill), Dieva kalns (God’s Hill) and even, on clear days, Estonia’s highpoint Suur Munamägi. The viewing tower on Dzērves (Crane) Hill looks across both the Alūksne and the Haanja highlands. Forest-covered Dēliņkalns (Son’s Hill) in Veclaicene itself has botanically diverse grasslands and gurgling streams.

Atzele, the smallest Latgallian kingdom, was located in Veclaicene.
The Opekalns Lutheran Church, the highest church in Latvia at 235 metres, was founded by Ernst Glü
Palpiera Lake and Naudas akmens (Money Rock), a 2.3-metre high, 3.6-metre long and 3 metre granite giant, are located just outside the nature reserve.