Pilskalns, Vecpiebalga, Vecpiebalgas pagasts, Cēsu novads, LV-4122, Latvija
Grišku Hill
Just 300 metres north of the Vecpiebalga castle ruins rises Grišku Hill, a striking 10-metre-high mound steeped in legend and history. Also known as the Piebalga, Balga, or Veļķi Hillfort, this site was a significant settlement during the 13th century, fortified with man-made slopes and a deep defensive trench.
Archaeological layers, up to a metre thick, reveal a rich cultural past shaped by centuries of human activity. When the trees stand bare, the hill offers sweeping views of the Vecpiebalga church and the ruins of the medieval castle.
At the base of the hill lies a spring-fed well known as Griškavots—a quiet tribute to the enduring life of this ancient site.
