Pine Mountain Infrastructure

Located on the left bank of the Daugava between the Riga HES – Jaunjelgava (P85) and Bauska – Aizkraukle (P87) roads. Its western slope is crossed by the so-called Degumu ceļš. Very pronounced relief shape – 84 m above sea level, which was a strategically important place on the front line of the left bank of the Daugava during the First and Second World Wars. Trenches cover the hill from three sides (except for its southern part), but the plateau and slopes of the hill are jagged with pits of various sizes, which are clearly visible both in nature and on LIDAR maps. From the east, Prieži Hill is surrounded by a deep ravine of the Radži stream. Prieži Hill should be viewed as part of a larger military “complex” (from both world wars of the 20th century): 0.8 km northeast of it was a bridge built by the German army across the Daugava during World War II (pillars have survived on the banks), 1.3 km east of it – in Āmurkalns – a “flakturm” was built, and 6 km away in Taurkalne – the Jelgava-Krustpils railway station with a World War II ammunition depot (according to legend), and less than a kilometer south – the Vecluikai Brothers Cemetery from World War I. The top of Prieži Hill can be reached by a small road that leads to a mobile communications tower. The Daugava valley is clearly visible from the forest path cut in the north. The continuous line of trenches (can be traced in nature and on LIDAR maps), which encircles Prieži Hill, continues for more than 9 km in a west-northwest direction all the way to the Enkurnieki – Lāčplēsis road. The area around Prieži and Smilšu hills (2.9 km southwest of Prieži hills) is a suitable place for hiking.