Monument to the soldiers who fell in the War of Independence
Memorial site

Located near the Jaunpiebalga St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church.

A monument designed by sculptor Kārlis Zāles and architect Aleksandrs Birzenieks to the members of the Jaunpiebalga parish who fell in the War of Independence is visible.

The monument was unveiled on June 29, 1930. It was designed by sculptor Kārlis Zāle and architect Aleksandrs Birzenieks, but the forging work was carried out at the E. Kuraus stonemasonry in Riga. The monument is designed as an architectural arch. Two columns with a massive lintel are placed on a three-tiered terrace. Between the columns is a figurative relief – Mother blesses two wounded sons.

According to information provided to J. Lismanis by Jaunpiebalga Secondary School teacher Vēsma Johansone, an urn with a list of 125 fallen parishioners was placed at the foundation of the monument. However, the press of the time only mentioned 60 fallen. On the same day, a “Heroes’ Grove” was planted around the church – 60 oak trees.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Thomas in Jaunpiebalga was consecrated on July 4, 1804, but from 1871 to 1873 the church was rebuilt according to the design of Matthias von Holst. It has 800 seats, and the altar and pulpit are carved from oak. When the church of Jaunpiebalga celebrated its 200th anniversary, the church was named after St. Thomas.
The Jaunpiebalga Church, which is a cultural monument of national importance and the largest Lutheran church outside Riga, has played a major role in shaping the spiritual world of many outstanding creative personalities.