Jersika Hillfort
Gerzika · Tsargrad
Iron Age to 1239 CE (Latgalian principality)·Latgalian / Orthodox Rus'·🇱🇻 Līvāni Municipality, Jersika parish on Daugava, Latvia
About
About Jersika Hillfort
Latgalian hillfort capital of the Orthodox principality of Jersika (Gercike) at Daugava's Tsargrad bend, a 75×100 m plateau 32 m above river with 12 m rampart, church foundations and 13th-c destruction layer (sword-brothers 1209, 1239). Latvian chronicle describes King Visvaldis. Material culture shows Latgalian–Rus' hybrid.
Why it mattersLatgalian hillfort capital of the Orthodox principality of Jersika (Gercike) at Daugava's Tsargrad bend, a 75×100 m plateau 32 m above river with 12 m rampart, church foundations and 13th-c destruction layer (sword-brothers 1209, 1239). Latvian chronicle describes King Visvaldis. Material culture sh
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Location of chronicle's Tsargrad fortress
Theories
- 01Jersika as Latgalian buffer between Livonia and Rus'
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Latgalian hillfort 10th century; principality 12th
- Period
- Iron Age to 1239 CE (Latgalian principality)
- Culture
- Latgalian / Orthodox Rus'
- Purpose
- Capital of Latgalian Orthodox principality Jersika
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
On the ground
Structures & features
56.2370° N · 26.2100° E · 32 m · 3 mapped features
Plateau Hillfort
hillfortLatgalian hillfort plateau with rampart
56.2372° N · 26.2105° EOrthodox Church Foundation
churchStone socle of Orthodox church 12th c
56.2370° N · 26.2100° EDaugava Outlook
viewpointSteep river cliff viewpoint
56.2368° N · 26.2095° E
Gallery