Gallows Hill Memorial site

The gallows hill is located in Valmiera (Bēātes iela 22), on the shore of Dzirnavu lake, on the edge of Beātes iela.

Gallows Hill was a medieval place of punishment outside the city. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the surrounding meadows were called Bendes fields. In December 1919, 11 communist-minded young people were shot and buried on the gallows hill. Another name for it is also found in the articles - Rūtiņkalns, but the name used during the Soviet era is more known - Komjauniėši kalniņš, where schoolchildren and Komjauni residents of the city's companies went in torchlight processions. After II. World War, in 1949 a monument was opened on the hill, the author of which was Jānis Zariņš from Rūji. The sculptor studied with Kārļas Zaales, Konrāds Ubānas and other masters known in Latvia and the world, created the monuments of Rūdolf Blaumaņš, Krišjānis Baron, Rainiš, Aspazija and other great spirits.

Accompanied by an audio guide, it is possible to go on a tour and listen to stories about more than 40 objects in Valmiera, including the Karatavu hill, free of charge.
The audio guide is available in Latvian, Russian, English, Estonian and German.