“Segvārds Vientulis”, along the Memorial Trails of the Latgale National Partisan Leader – Priest Antons Juhņevičs
Memorial site

The former primary school, parish house and church of the village of Vanagi provide evidence of one of the most heroic pages in the history of Vanagi Parish. In the autumn of 1944, after the return of the Soviet occupation to Latvia, the resist ance of the people of Latgale to Soviet rule began. At this time, Antons Juhņevičs (1905–1947), a bright personality with a sharp mind, patriotism and a deep faith in God, served as a priest in Vanagi Parish. During his church services, he called for resistance to Soviet rule, and gave refuge to those fleeing repressions in his church. On 28 January 1945, an armed battle took place in the vicinity of Vanagi Church between national partisans and Soviet security officers – Chekists. After these events, A. Juhņevičs also joined the national partisans and, under the nickname “Vientulis”, became one of the leaders of the Latvian Fatherland Partisan Union. Visitors can see the church and the parish house, and walk the partisan trails in the nearby forest near the church.

By making a prior booking, you can enjoy a partisan meal – porridge made on a bonfire – next to the parish house. The staged documentary Segvārds Vientulis (Alias Hermit) by director Nor munds Pučs, produced in 2014, can be watched at the former Primary School of Vanagi, currently IAC Vanagi (Information and Support Centre Vanagi). A large-format photo exhibition about the making of the film is on display in the hallways of the school