Monument to National Partisans in Jersika
Memorial site

The memorial stone is located near the Jersika railway station. It is engraved with the inscription: “LTS(p)A – Latvijas Tēvzemes sargu (partizānu) apvienības cīnītājiem” (For the Fighters of the Latvian Union of the Guardians of the Fatherland (Partisans)). The Union of Partisans united national partisans of six Latvian districts in the struggle against the communist occupation regime in 1945–1955. The memorial stone is the first stop on the hike “Jersika-Vanagi. Nacionālo partizānu leģendām pa pēdām.” (Jersika-Vanagi. On the Trail of the National Partisan Legends.) The route starts at Jersika station and offers an insight into the history of the national partisan movement, its most prominent figures and their activi ties. Further on the trail: the site of the national partisan bunker hidden in the forest; the place of the founding of the Fatherland Guards (Partisans) Association as mentioned in the testimonies; and the memorial place “Avotnīca” (in Latgalian “Olūtneica”) in the forest, where a bonfire has been set up. The destination of the hike is Vanagi Church, where the priest Antons Juhņevičs served. The film “Segvārds Vientulis” (Alias Hermit) was made here (producer Normunds Pucis). The film tells the story of a priest, who was involved in the national partisan struggle in post-war Latgale. The route also bears evidence of former farmsteads: stately oaks and ruins of buildings.

It passes through forests, swamps, fens, meadows, and country roads. The total length of the hike is approximately 22 km and it can be completed in 6 hours.