Kuršu pilskalns (Velna gulta), castle mound

Kuršu (the Couronian) Castle Mound

Over the time, the castle mound has earned several names - Couronian, Ancestors’, Kandava castle mound, Church Hill, even Devil’s Bed, because the shape of the mound resembles a big bed with a pillow. It is situated on the right bank of the Abava river valley. Couronians had their settlements there during the 12th and 13th century, which is witnessed by discovered ancient artefacts.

Back in the day, the Kandava Couronian castle stood where the Kandava Couronian hillfort (66 m above the sea level) now is found – it used to be one of the centres of the Vanema land. The castle was first mentioned in a contract of 1230, when the Couronians had promised to get baptized.

The hight of the hill is 8-10 m, all hill-sides are artificially steeped and the surface is 40x26m wide.
Small parking place is next to the castle mound. You can climb up the steps and take a look on valley of river Abava and part of the town wich is called NewKandava by locals.
Latvian national legend says that the castle had cellars. When enemy came the castle was slid down into cellers and than lifted out again. However when the furious enemy came, castle went down and never rose.