The last resting place of Colonel Oskars Kalpaks
Memorial site

KalpakakapsVisagalakapos_GitaM_M2.jpg
Visagala Cemetery. The final resting place of Colonel Oskars Kalpaks. Source: Gita Memmēna, Vidzeme Tourism Association
01MNM42976_2.jpg
02MNM42976_3.jpg
03MNM42976_4.jpg
KalpakakapsVisagalakapos_GitaM_M1.jpg
KalpakakapsVisagalakapos_GitaM_M10.jpg
KalpakakapsVisagalakapos_GitaM_M11.jpg
KalpakakapsVisagalakapos_GitaM_M12.jpg
KalpakakapsVisagalakapos_GitaM_M3.jpg
KalpakakapsVisagalakapos_GitaM_M4.jpg
KalpakakapsVisagalakapos_GitaM_M5.jpg
KalpakakapsVisagalakapos_GitaM_M6.jpg
KalpakakapsVisagalakapos_GitaM_M7.jpg
KalpakakapsVisagalakapos_GitaM_M8.jpg
KalpakakapsVisagalakapos_GitaM_M9.jpg
nba04-14241.png
Loading...
 Visagals, Indrānu pagasts, Madonas nov., Latvia
 +371 26374962
192

Located in Visagala Cemetery, Madona district

On July 10, 1927, a monument made by Kārlis Zāle and Arnolds Dzirkaļs was unveiled to Oskars Kalpaks - a composition of three figures, in the center of which is an ancient Latvian warrior with a shield and a sword in his hand, but on both sides is a wielding soldier. At the foot of the sculptural group, a bronze plaque is placed on the granite base, with a text engraved on it, which also includes a poem by Edward Virza dedicated to Kalpak.

Oskars Kalpaks fell in 1919. On March 6, near "Airīte", on the side of Skrunda - Saldus road, on September 18, his remains were transferred from the northern cemetery of Liepāja to the family cemetery in Visagala.

The monument was unveiled by General J. Balodis, Chairman of the Monument Committee of Colonel O. Kalpaks, with the participation of the then President G. Zemgale, Prime Minister M. Skujenieks, Speaker of the Saeima P. Kalniņš, Minister of War R. Bangerskim and K. Ulmanis. The foundation stone of the monument was laid on June 19, 1925. The stone for the monument is taken from the colonel's native house in Siena swamp, O. Kalpaks loved to play the violin on this stone as a child.

 

 
Used sources and references:

Laimdota Ivanova "Overview of the graves, memorials, monuments of the fallen in the Latvian War of Independence and the 1905 revolution in the Madona district". 2004
Lismanis, J. 1915-1920. In memory of battles and fallen soldiers: memorial sites of the First World War and the Latvian Liberation Fight. Riga: NIMS, 1999.

 

Related stories

Colonel Kalpak's last battle near Airīte

Colonel Kalpaks was a respected figure in military circles and a true patriot. It was the spirit of patriotism and an unfortunate coincidence that led to the fatal clash between him and the German battalions, which unfortunately ended with the death of Colonel Kalpaks.

In memory of Oskars Kalpaks

The memory of Oskars Kalpaks is preserved in many places – this is evidenced by his native Liepsalu house, a monument in the Visagala cemetery, commemorative events and beautiful concerts on March 6, the Meirānu Kalpaks Elementary School, streets in Lubāna, Madona and other cities, and on and on. But in this article – about the preservation of the memory of Oskars Kalpaks in his native region in the 1920s–1930s.

The Battle of the Oskars Kalpaks Battalion at Lielauce

On the night of January 15, the Kalpaks Battalion fought the first battle at Lielauce, repelling the Red attack. It was the first significant battle of the Kalpaks Battalion, and the victory gave the soldiers a particularly strong morale boost.