Rundēni Parish

• The Roman Catholic Church of Christ's Ascension in Rundēni[1]
• The Orthodox Church of Birth of Our Lady in Vertulova

Vertulova Church in winter

Documentary certificates of the construction of church were not kept. It is known, that in 1783 on this place stood Uniat (Greek Catholic Church) Church's temple. The precursor of present church has been constructed of clay and juniper branches in 1836, On this place in 1862 there has been begun construction of a new building of the church, ended in 1866. The church is 18 metres long, 9 metres wide and 15 metres tall. In the 19th century Vertulova's orthodox congregation was allocated 50 hectares of the land. However, in 1899-1901 about 300 parishioners, in searches of the best share, have moved to Siberia. Approximately 100 metres from the church is the Vertulova's modern orthodox cemetery, and 350 meters away, Vertulova's medieval cemetery, which is an archaeological monument of the culture, protected by the state.

Vertulova Church Interior

• The Orthodox Old Believers’ Church Chapel in Bližņeva

In Rundēni parish there are two Orthodox Old Believers’ Church Chapels - in Bližņeva (operating) and in Bori.

The Bull-stone in Kazici Territory of Rundēni parish is rich with stones. Near to Rundēni, in village of Kazici - on coast of inflow of Saryanka River (which runs into Daugava), there is granite Bull-stone. It is the big, ancient cult stone of the Baltic tribes. 5,3 metres at length, 3,5 metres at width and 1,8 metres in height. There is an assumption that the Bull-stone served for a designation of ancient border. On a stone are carved two crosses, and also a sign in the form of a horseshoe, as with two horns. This sign is from afar similar to a head of a deer or the bull – from here and the name the Bull-stone. In the bottom of a stone near the ground is carved a diamond-shaped sign, whose value is not clear. If to look closely, separate letters on a stone are visible. With an effort we can read a name Elizar. One part of stone as though is undermined.

Older persons speak, that if to touch a stone - that it takes away all illnesses and ailments, and gives force and energy.

There are various legends about the Bull-stone. One of them speaks that huge treasures were hidden under a stone. "Once upon a time poor smith Elizar has heard, that a treasures are hidden under a stone. He has decided to take them. Has taken a hammer, an axe and a spade and has gone to extract a treasures. When he began to dig under a stone, strong hurricane has suddenly begun. Trees have caved in up to the ground. Not clearly whence there appeared a bull and has attacked on Elizar. Elizar has not become puzzled and has struck the bull on horns. One horn has fallen. And hurricane has suddenly stopped at a same minute. The bull has disappeared. Elizar has lifted a horn, which was from pure gold. Since then Elizar became rich."

One more legend about the Bull-stone: "On the Līgo night the stone becomes red and hot, and on it the black cat sits and purrs. However there are no daredevils to check up it."

Rundēni Devil’s Pits Rundēni Devil’s Pits is a natural monument, the area - 3 hectares. Is on Height of Latgale in 3-4 kilometres on northeast from Rundēni, in 800 metres from the Rundēni-Lauderi road, in territory of the Rundēni and Lauderu parishes. Since 1997 Devil's Pits are a protected geomorphological object, unique similar type in Baltic states. There are five pits of an unknown origin; the water fills one, bushes of a raspberry - others. Occurrence of pits could be bound with possible falling of meteorite. There are also assumptions that Devil's Pits are karstic formations.

• The Hill of Crosses[2]
• Memorial complex in Sūnupļava

The memorial ensemble was created in memory of eleven heroes of different nationalities, of World War II on Height of Sūnupļava (Height 144). It is on a roadside of the Rundēni-Lauderi road. The memorial ensemble is created from greater boulders (author A. Dripe).