The exact date of the establishment of Rauna Congregation School is unknown, however, it is known that, before 1693, there had been a school in Rauna, which was situated next to the church. During the Great Northern War (1700 – 1721) it was destroyed twice, together with the church. In 1722, a new Rauna Congregation School building with three rooms for 50 pupils was built not far from the church. In 1805, the owner of Rauna Manor Estate, a banker from Riga, B. K. Kleins, opened Rauna Manor Estate School in Baižkalns Parish house building. Until 1814, two schools co-existed in Rauna. They were later merged to establish one school – Rauna Congregation School. The school was good, it was well recognised in a wide vicinity and prepared young scriveners, teachers, organ players, social workers, etc.
In 1850, the old building of Rauna Congregation School burnt down completely, together with school equipment and valuable church items, which were stored at school after a robbery at the church, which occurred in 1836. In 1852, a new two storied school building was built in accordance with the design of the owner of Rauna Manor Estate von Wulf, and, having experienced several reconstructions, this building can be seen to date. At around 1874, the school started to admit girls.
In the 19th century several notable people, who had a significant role in the life of Latvia studied at Rauna Congregation School: Jānis Cimze (1814 – 1881); Kārlis Krēsliņš (1860 – 1929); Pēteris Šmits (1869 – 1938); Jūlijs Auškāps (1884 – 1942); Kārlis Ducmanis (1881 – 1943); Pēteris Zālīte (1864 – 1939); Jānis Lapiņš (1885 – 1941) and others.
Rauna Devil’s Cave is approximately 50 m2 large and 13.6 cm deep subterranean cave in the white sand of Devonian sedimentary rock. The measurements of the cave were performed in summer 1974. Parts of the cave have been collapsed several times and afterwards the cave has been cleaned again. The last collapse occurred in late 70s – early 80s of the 20th century, when the cave was filled up for longer than 20 years. It was cleaned only in 2004 thanks to the activities of local residents and businesses. Several springs are originating above the cave, which develop beautiful icefalls in front of the cave in winter.
A legend about the development of the Devil’s Cave goes that, in ancient times, an old and rich devil lived in the vicinity of Rauna and his riches could be neither measured nor counted. Initially, he hid his money and gold in the hell itself, but young devils found it. Then he hid his riches in the forest, but the children of the earth found it, while picking berries and mushrooms. He finally decided that a secure hiding place must be made and dug a large and strong cave in the white rock. He took the earth that he dug out over the river and placed into a big hill, which resulted in the development of Tanīsa hill. The devil lived happily for hundreds of years until once, in spring, the Rauna river was flooded and water started to enter the cave. The devil took all his riches and went away to another, unknown place.
Staburags Cliff of Rauna is situated in one of the smallest nature reserves in Latvia, which is 21.65 ha large. Staburags Cliff of Rauna is a geological object – freshwater limestone cliff. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations not only in Vidzeme, but in the entire Latvia.
Staburags Cliff of Rauna was developed by groundwater moving through layers of sedimentary rock, which saturates the water with lime and, upon originating on the surface, the water accumulates in groundwater escape sites, where the remainders of grass stalks, leaves, mosses and wood that get calcified over time and develop into the porous tufa rock. The lime rocks have started developing 8,000 years ago and the development process thereof is still in progress. After the flooding of the Staburags Cliff of Daugava, no similar cliffs with springs flowing over them no longer exist in Latvia.
The nature reserve in this territory was developed in 1987 to protect Staburags Cliff of Rauna and the rare alpine Butterwort, which occurs here. A version has been voiced that the alpine Butterwort was recovered from the Staburags Cliff of Daugava in 1965, when the cliff was flooded as a result of the construction of Pļaviņas hydropower plant dam, and planted here. The locals remember that as early as in the 80s of the 20th century this plant occurred on the Staburags cliff, however, it was not spotted in the following years.
Jānis Cimze was born in 1814 at Cimze Semi-manor of Rauna Congregation. Already since the age of 14 he worked as a tutor. From 1836 to 1838, J. Cimze studied at Weissenfels Teachers’ Seminary in Germany, afterwards he travelled through Western Europe and attended lectures at Berlin University. In 1839, J. Cimze was hired as a teacher at Vidzeme Congregation School Teachers’ Seminary in Valmiera, but, starting from 1849, the seminary was moved to Valka to enable the training of teachers for Latvian, as well as Estonian part of Vidzeme. Since 1864, in the official documents, J. Cimze was referred to as the director of the seminary. During his years of work, he raised 431 teachers.
Thanks to the talent of J. Cimze as an educator and a musician, the graduates of the seminary received serious knowledge in music. In 1843, at his initiative, the development of four-part harmony singing started at the seminary, for the first time in Latvia. The spread of multiple-part singing resulted in repertoire problems, therefore J. Cimze started collecting songs suitable for singing. From 1872 to 1881 he published eight parts of “Dziesmu rotas” (Sing Ornaments) collection.
On 20 June 1989, the monument by the sculptor Romualds Getauts was opened in the centre of Rauna. It was dedicated to the greatest countryman, Latvian educator, collector and arranger of folk songs, an organ player, the founder of Latvian choral singing and professional music Jānis Cimze (1814 – 1881). J. Cimze was buried at Lugaži cemetery in Valka.
Locals have named the urban district on the left bank of the Rauna river “Pārupe” (Left Bank), and, until 1951 this part of Rauna urban territory was considered to belong to Baižkalns Parish. Until 1951, when Baižkalns Parish was merged with Rauna Parish, the Rauna river served as the border of two parishes – Rauna and Baižkalns parish.
Building in the “Pārupe” or left bank started in early 20th century – in the 20s, and, to a certain extent, it is considered to constitute the historical construction of Rauna inhabited area. One of the first houses on the left bank of the river was the building in Valmieras iela 7, which was formerly called Tušs Pharmacy. The development of Rauna “Pārupe” construction was promoted by the decision of Rauna Church Convent of 1909 to divide the land in possession of the sexton-organist of the congregation into 15 smaller parts and to issue the land plots into lifelong rent. The project of land division was developed by the sworn land surveyor of Livonian Knighthood K. Ķuze, a relative of the famous candy industrialist V. Ķuze.
The most interesting story is associated with the bridge over the Rauna river, which leads to “Pārupe”. According to the stories of locals, this bridge suffered during the World War II. As the Nazi army retreated, the bridge over the Rauna river was blown up. As a result of the explosion, houses that stood closer to the river suffered as well. The building in Jaunatnes iela 2 or Skujiņmāja house sloped to the one side slightly and this inclination of the house is still visible today. For some time, Rauna existed without a bridge and crossing of the river was possible in the area, where the stream is the slowest – to the left from the location of the current bridge.
Presumably, Baižkalns Manor Estate developed in late 17th century by separating it from Rauna Castle Manor at the site, where the house of Baižas was situated. The manor estate was founded by Rauna Castle Manor manager Friedrich. Initially, Baižkalns Manor Estate was a crown manor estate or an estate under direct administration of the Russian Empire.
The house of Baižkalns Manor Estate landlord was built in the first part of the 19th century at the time, when the owner of the manor estate was Johann Bernhart van Zuckerbecker. It was built in classicism style with tile roof, a glass verandah and four columns. In the 60s of the 20th Century, the landlord’s house was rebuilt, the second floor was added by adapting the building for the functions of an apartment house. Apart from the landlord’s house, the complex of Baižkalns manor estate buildings included the manager’s house, stables, a barn, a cellar with a superstructure, a greenhouse, a shed, a wheelwright workshop, a servants’ house, a blacksmith’s shop and a drying barn. Baižkalns Manor Estate was surrounded by a park, however only individual trees and lanes of the park have been preserved. Even today, a decorative vase is seen in front of the landlord’s house of Baižkalns Manor Estate.
In 1900, the area of Baižkalns Manor Estate was 1,006 desyatina or 1,100 ha. Vīķi Semi-manor, a water mill, a brick kiln, a lime kiln, an alcohol distillery with a steam boiler and a school belonged to Baižkalns Manor Estate. A paper factory was also situated within the borders of Baižkalns Manor Estate. It was opened in 1815 by the owner of Baižkalns Manor Estate Bernhard Christian Klein. The factory predominantly produced packaging paper for the packaging of sugar that was produced at Rauna Manor Estate. Later it became the property of merchant Schmidt and writing paper, wrapping paper and filter paper was produced there. Apart from paper factory there was a metal processing factory in the territory of Baižkalns Manor Estate. It was founded in 1830 by merchant Lindenbaum. The factory produced sewing needles, knotting needles, pins, hooks, wire meshes, mouse traps, etc. After the acquisition of independence by Latvia, Baižkalna Manor Estate was divided to peasants and artisans and the land became the property of private owners. During the World War II, German troops were stationed at Baižkalna Manor Estate, they rested and repaired military equipment here. Nowadays, the former territory of Baižkalns Manor Estate belongs to different private owners. After reconstruction, the landlord’s house serves as a multiple-apartment house, while former stables of the manor estate are operated by riding sports club “Baižkalna Staļļi”.
For more than 30 years Rauna Agricultural Equipment Station (Rauna Lauktehnika) has been the largest industrial enterprise of Rauna Parish – it was strong and productive. The area of Raunas Lauktehnika is established in the place, where the utility buildings of the Rauna Castle Manor were previously situated. Up to the 40s – 50s of the 20th century, two large parallel barns-warehouses were preserved in this place, with 1 ha large square between them.
Rauna Lauktehnika serviced 15 collective farms, 8 Soviet farms, Priekuļi Experimental and Breeding Station, Priekuļi Agricultural College, etc. The enterprise employed more than 400 people. The enterprise operated several production workshops: tractor repair workshop, a steel foundry, where rare details were produced, lathe repair workshop, diesel fuel equipment repair workshop, cable workshop, which was one of the workshops that made the highest profit, timber processing workshop, non-standard equipment production workshop, where equipment to individual order was produced.
The house in Cēsu iela 8, which is situated at the very foot of Tanīsa hill, is a special place that is closely related to notable physicians of the 20th century, the contribution of whom is important on the scale of Rauna, as well as Latvia. The house was built in late 30s of the 20th century for the long-serving physician, the founder of Rauna Hospital, Rūdolfs Skaidrais (1882 – 1954),while in 1994 it became the property of physician, oncologist, psychotherapist and sexologist Jānis Zālītis (1933 – 2007) and the family of Zālīši is still owning the house.
One of the main works of the life of R. Skaidrais was the development of Rauna hospital design and construction thereof. In 1930, he became the chief physician of Rauna Hospital and remained in this position until 18 August 1952. Afterwards, until October 1953, he worked as a therapist at the hospital. He died on 18 January 1954 and has been buried at Rauna cemetery. In 1939, R. Skaidrais was awarded the Cross of Recognition order of 5th Class.
The relative and friend of the physician – the famous Latvian architect Pauls Kundziņš (1888 – 1983) was the companion of several projects conceived by R. Skaidrais. Based on the design of P. Kundziņš, the house of Skaidrais family was built in Rauna, Cēsu iela 8, where a permanent exhibition dedicated to the memory of R. Skaidrais has been established. In 1991, the Head of Latvian Medical and Dental Society Ansis Muižnieks, who was born in Rauna and emigrated to the USA, founded the award of R. Skaidrais for young Rural physicians of Latvia. Since 1991, this award was received by several young physicians. In 1994, the house in Cēsu iela 8 or the house of Rūdolfs Skaidrais was bought by a physician Jānis Zālītis, who performed the reconstruction works of the second floor of this house built in the 30s of the 20th century, as well as gave a name to the house – “Beverīnas”. Jānis Zālītis was born on 19 May 1933 not far from Rauna – in Aleņi of Branti Parish, Cēsis District. On 25 March 1949, he, together with his mother and brothers, was deported to Chaya District, Tomsk Region of Siberia. In 1961, he graduated the Department of Medicine of Tomsk Medical Institute and returned to Latvia. Until 1995, he worked at the Oncology Centre of Latvia, Riga, as an oncologist and psychotherapist.
The first data on physicians at the congregation of Rauna date back to mid-19th century. At the initiative of Rauna congregation pastor, a physician was elected in permanent job position in 1861. From 1861 to 1914, several physicians had replaced each other. They accepted patients at “Annenthal” building of Baižkalns Manor Estate. Later Rauna Hospital was built in the same place. On 3 January 1914, Rūdolfs Skaidrais (1882 – 1954) was elected in the position of Rauna Congregation Physician and he worked as a physician until 1954.
Immediately after the election of R. Skaidrais, the World War I broke out, and he was mobilised into the army of Russian Empire, as well as participated in the Russian Civil War afterwards. In about 1920, R. Skaidrais was demobilised and returned to Rauna, where he continued his initial work and voiced the need for larger premises of the doctorate, because patients had to go to the city of Cēsis to receive medical assistance.
Rauna Hospital building was built in 1930, however, the admission of patients was delayed, because the premises of the hospital could not be equipped appropriately due to the shortage of money.
In 1934, Rauna hospital with five beds started its operation, meanwhile in 1959 the hospital had 35 bed places, employed 4 physicians, 14 nurses, 14 wards attendants, and an obstetrician. An outpatient clinic, women and paediatric consultation offices, a dentist, an X-Ray office and a maternity department were in operation.
During the Soviet times, the hospital reached good results, during inspections of medical institutions the hospital frequently ranked first in the category of rural hospitals.
In 1990, Rauna Hospital was closed for major restoration. During the restoration, the offices of the outpatient clinic were transferred to the premises of Agricultural Equipment Station Offices. On the night of 19 August 1991, Rauna Hospital burnt down. The ruins of the hospital were removed in 1992.
The building in Cēsu iela 6 is Rauna Post Office. In June 1938, a devastating fire raged in the centre of Rauna, as a result of which the old Post Office and Communications Department building in Strads Pub burnt down. A new post office building was built within a year, however, the building was not completely finished, because World War II started. Initially, installation of a large clock was planned in the “tower” of the post office building, where currently a round window is present. The equipment of the indoors premises was also not completed. Apartments for the manager and employees of the post office were situated on the second floor of the post office building.
Work at the post office was organised as follows – operations hall was situated to the right from the entrance door, where payments were accepted, newspapers, envelopes were sold, packages and telegrams were accepted, while a telephone station was situated to the left, where telephone calls could be ordered to reach the addressee. After ordering of the call, the operator made the connection and said: “You will have a conversation!” Taking this specific nature of work into consideration, the telephone operators could as well listen to these conversations and some operators actually did that, receiving information on secret love affairs. In around 1967, 1968, an automatic telephone call centre was introduced at the Post Office and Communications Department.
A responsible communications technician, who supervised the particular section of telephone line, was working at each parish. If a damage on the line, telephone poles or wires occurred, the communications technicians had to reach the site of damage at any time of the day and under any conditions, just like emergency services.