Raiskums – The Heart of Vidzeme Through the Lens of History

The earliest archaeological evidence of human habitation around the lakes of Auciems and Raiskums dates back to the Bronze Age (15th–1st century BCE). Burial mounds from this period have been discovered near the “Avotiņi” and “Dumpji” homesteads. At Avotiņi, a single mound was encircled by 22 stones. The deceased were laid in stone cists in the center of the mound. The only artifact found there was a double amber button, dated to the late Bronze Age (mid-1st millennium BCE).

Archaeological exploration of the mound began in the late 19th century. In the records compiled by Estonian archaeologist Harri Moora, this burial site is referred to as the Auciems burial mound, located about 6.5 km from Cēsis on the road to Limbaži. The mound contained three burial chambers side by side, constructed from large split granite blocks. One chamber yielded a double amber button and a fragment of a bronze item; the others were empty.

Adjacent to the Bronze Age Dumpji mound is an Early Iron Age (1st–4th century CE) stone cairn cemetery containing cremation burials in stone chambers. These graves, oriented east-west, are known in Estonia as tarands—rectangular chambers built from large stones. The continuation of burials near a Bronze Age mound suggests a local origin for the tarand tradition. This burial type, featuring both cremations and inhumations covered with ash, soil, and stones, was common throughout Estonia and Northern Latvia and associated with the ancestors of later Livonian and Estonian peoples.

On August 1, 1889, excavations at the Dumpji cemetery were carried out by R. Hausmanis, G. Leške, and L. von Schröder. Although their notes have not survived, the excavation plan indicates multiple rows of stones in the heavily damaged western section. A circle of small stones in the east yielded a bronze torc with trumpet-shaped ends. Burnt bone fragments in the tarands were heaped similarly to finds at Kambja in Estonia. Artifacts included two trumpet-ended torcs, two penannular brooches, three bracelets and fragments, and five other indeterminate fragments.

Another Early Iron Age cemetery was found in the Sveķi forest, about 8.5 km from Cēsis. Unlike the lakeside Dumpji site, this one lies deep in the woods. Excavated in 1888 by A. Felds, director of the Birkenruh Gymnasium, the site had an oval stone cairn. Beneath some stones were ashes, charcoal, many bone fragments, two torcs (one snake-shaped), twisted bronze wire, and a small animal figurine.

All known burial sites in Raiskums Parish are of Finno-Ugric origin. In contrast, flat cemeteries typical of the Latgalians and Vends are found primarily on the left bank of the Gauja River.

No Iron Age settlements have been confirmed in Raiskums Parish, with the sole exception being the Kvēpene hillfort near the Gauja River, though only minor excavations have been conducted there. The ethnic identity of its inhabitants remains unclear. The hillfort’s construction differs from typical Livonian sites, featuring square masonry structures, possibly the remains of a tower.

Speculations suggest that the “Urele” mentioned in the Chronicle of Henry of Livonia may have been located at Kūdu Church Hill, and that the Kvēpene hillfort might have been the seat of Latgalian elder Rūsiņš. However, Henry consistently refers to Rūsiņš as a Latgalian elder, with no clear link to Idumea, a region he knew well. Therefore, Satekle—Rūsiņš’s castle—was likely on the left (Latgalian) bank of the Gauja, not the Livonian-populated right bank.

Linguistic, archaeological, and written sources suggest that by the early 13th century, the territory of present-day Raiskums Parish was part of Idumea, jointly inhabited by Livonians and Latgalians.

Henry’s chronicle first mentions Idumea in 1206, when Priest Daniel, sent by the Riga cathedral chapter, preached and baptized in Livonian territories along the Daugava and Gauja rivers. He eventually reached Idumea, baptized many Livonians and Latgalians, built a church near the Ropa (later Brasla) River, and settled there.

In 1207, Livonia’s newly Christianized lands were divided between the Bishop of Riga and the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. The Gauja River was set as the boundary: the bishop received the Livonian lands on the right bank (Idumea and Imera), while the Order took over the Latgalian and Vendic lands on the left bank.

Baltic-German ethnographer August Bielenstein, in 1884, based on Henry’s chronicle and toponymic studies, demonstrated that many places near Raiskums mentioned in the chronicle belonged to Idumea. He also identified the Finno-Ugric roots of the name “Raiskums.”

The name Idumaa derives from the Livonian and Estonian ida (“northeast”) and maa (“land”), likely named by Livonians living southwest of it.

Henry’s chronicle describes Latgalians and Idumeans living together in Idumea. Based on place names, Idumeans were likely Livonians. In 1213, Bishop Albert appointed exiled Pskov prince Vladimir as vogt over Idumea and the Latgalians, with his residence in Metimne. This coexistence is supported by reports of Daniel preaching and baptizing both groups and building a church at Ropa (Straupe).

Bielenstein concluded that Latgalians were the minority, as Daniel preached in Livonian and didn’t venture beyond Vendic Cēsis—indicating he likely didn’t speak Latgalian.

The center of Idumea was around the Ropa (Raupa) River. On a high bank above the river (super Ropam), Daniel built the first church, later served by Priest Alobrand. Bielenstein found no Livonian or Estonian roots for the name “Ropa,” speculating it was a Livonized Latvian name derived from “Straupe.”

Auciems and Raiskums were part of Idumea. According to Bielenstein, the Livonian raisk and Estonian raiskama mean “to perish,” and kudd (Est.) or kuduma (Liv.) mean “to weave/knit.”

Researcher A. Western-Doll classified “Raiskums” as a Livonian toponym derived from maggi (“hill”). In historical documents, it appears as Rascomaggi.

The earliest written source mentioning Raiskums (and possibly Auciems) is a 1350 fief letter from Archbishop Fromhold of Riga. Knight Volmar von Rosen and his son Heneke received Augstroze Castle and surrounding lands, including Raiskums (Rayskemene), Audere (possibly Auciems), and four free men of Raiskums (vier freyen von Reuskemene). These “free men” may have been granted as vassals, a rare case in Livonia before the mid-16th century.

They were possibly responsible for guarding the important Gauja ferry crossing between Cēsis and Straupe. This link is reinforced by later surveys, which mention Raiskums Manor maintaining the ferry at Siļķi.

The village of “Andere” listed in the same document could be an early name for Auciems. By 1624, the name “Auciems” appears clearly in Swedish records, and it is mentioned as a district (vaka) of Lielstraupe manor. Based on surveys from 1624 and 1638, the village extended south, west, and north of Lake Auciems.

Surveys and the 1683 Raiskums Manor plan show that the village of Raiskums consisted of two parts: one near the lake and forest, the other to the southeast between the lake and the Gauja. This latter part became the location of Raiskums Manor. The 1638 survey notes that the village once had 20 households.

Two medieval cemeteries in the area—at Auciems and near Raiskums Dimdi—may have been established beside old chapels. One grave in Auciems features a carved cross, suggesting a medieval origin.

Archaeological surveys confirmed that the “Old Cemetery” of Auciems (or “Swedish Cemetery”) is no longer being disturbed. Excavations in 1975 at Dimdi found human skulls, confirming its cemetery status.

Bielenstein also noted Livonian-named farms in Raiskums Parish into the 19th century—e.g., Kaderi, Rujas, Vapas—indicating a lasting Finno-Ugric presence.

Heinz Pirang’s research shows Auciems became an independent manor in 1775 after passing through the hands of several noble families, including the Rozens, Albedils, Gavel, Strokirch, and Zīvers. The manor was expropriated during the 1920 agrarian reform.

H. von Hagemeister’s accounts of Raiskums and Auciems manors are detailed but difficult to verify due to missing references. Still, they reflect the Rozens’ significant ownership of estates like Straupe, Auciems, Raiskums, and others.

The earliest population records for Raiskums appear in the 1638 land audit. Many original inhabitants had perished or left, and settlers from the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia had replaced them—likely due to war, famine, and epidemic.

The estate owner was Sofia von Mengden, widow of Fabian von Rosen. At the time, there was an inn and a mill in Raiskums, though the mill was not operational.

Of the seven peasant families recorded in Raiskums, only one had a son. Most viable family lines came from Courland immigrants.

The audit also listed 10 abandoned farmsteads, indicating significant depopulation. These data highlight the turbulent history of the region due to conflict, famine, and social upheaval.