Guest House "OSMANY"

Historical Heritage and Legends of Makonkalns.

Already at 10th and 11th century the territory of the present Makonkalns civil parish was compactly inhabited.
About this testify 16 archaeological memorials of the state importance, 9 ancient burial- grounds, 2 cult - places, 4 castle mounds of ancient Latvian, and castle ruins of Folkenberg.

The Folkenberg castle was built by German crusaders and for the first time it is mentioned in historical documents in 1252, when members of an Order recruited forces for campaign to Livonia.

The ruins of the Folkenberg castle at Makonkalns (247 m above sea level) is favourite among visitors of the Guest - house OSMANY. From this place opens a wonderful view of one of the biggest lakes of Latvia - Razna lake.
The Folkenberg castle is considered to be the most ancient fortress of the German order in Latvia. The castle was built for defence in very convenient place in the first half of the 13th century, but already in the end of the 13th century the castle lost its importance and was broken. To this day, fragments of the big stone wall are remained.

Many tales and legends are told about the Folkenberg castle.
Mainly they tell about hidden treasure.
By a legend, a castlle with princess sunk.
The princess was cursed.
Popular is a legend about a mistress of the Folkenberg castle and her theree daughters, which inherited other three castles of Latgale: Rezekne , Ludza and Vilaka.