ORMAŅU HILL

The Ormaņu Hill, or Ürmaņi Hill is 167m high, located near Lake Sauka - the highest peak of the Selonia ridge, from which a beautiful panorama opens. Various submissions and stories testify that Ormaņu Hill could have been a holy or a fortified place in ancient times. The hill has not been archaeologically excavated and so far, it has not been determined what function it performed in prehistoric times when the Selonians lived here. From the old stories and submissions, it can be predicted that it was the cult place for the Selonians - the holy hill. The top of the hill and the steep slopes are mostly open, so it offers a view of the Sauka Nature Park and the Sauka Lake. There is a rest area on Ormaņu Hill, and there is an observation tower on the nearby Borīšu hill, usually called the Watchtower of Ormaņu Hill. The hill may have been the gathering place of the ancient Selonians. Guards has always been there, who kept a watchful eye on the surroundings and announced the approaching attackers by lighting a fire. Ormaņu Hill could be seen in a wide area, and smoke or other signals announcing the danger from him could warn of the approaching attackers in time. A herald - usually a trumpeter - stood on Ormaņu Hill, from which he could survey the vast surroundings. This is where the name Sauka comes from, which means to summon, to summon people to report both happy and sad news, to inform and warn.