Hill Ķēniņkalns

While walking the well-kept paths of Ķēniņkalns hill, stop at environmental objects “Frame Talsi”, where you can enjoy the scenery over Vilkmuiža Lake, and “Nine Hats”, which is dedicated to the nine hills of Talsi. According to the legend, the hill was formed from the soil that people from far and near brought in their hats and aprons when Couronian king Lamekin was buried. There is also a small stage and recreational area.

A legend says a Couronian king is buried here and people out of great respect for him brought soil with their hats and aprons to form a hill above the place where the king was buried. With support from Association of Latvians a town park with trees and decorative shrubs and a romantic wooden stairway with 122 steps was built on Ķēniņkalns King’s hill) at the end of 19^th century. “Ķeizardārzs” or “Pilsētas dārzs” as it was quickly nicknamed by citizens, became a favorite place for walks and recreation. In 1958 the Festivāla square was built. Since November 16th, 1996 there is a monument in Ķēniņkalns called “Koklētājs”. The monument that is dedicated to fallen freedom fighters of Latvia was initially designed by Kārlis Zemdega though finished by sculptor Vilnis Titāns. Some things still remind of the past – the old and the new Fabrika street, former wool factory and the war prison from World War II “Moku kambari” (1944 – 1945). By the foot of the Ķēniņkalns lies building that is almost a 100 years old – “Talsu tautas nams” (Talsi Folk House). It was built from funds raised by citizens of Talsi as a Community house. Tourism information center of Talsi district is located in this building. The town square that attracts Talsi Rally fans in the spring, town festival guests in July and Dižmāra fair merchants in August was built at the beginning of the 1960s. Since 1996 the house front on 25 Lielā Street has been decorated with a stylized ethnographic ornament “Talsu saulīte“.