Near the manor house, along the alley, you can reach the family tomb, which was built with the care of Count Ludwig August Mellin. It was surrounded by a wonderful park with many old monuments. The count had small plaques with various life wisdoms written on them attached to the trees.
The monuments in the park were dedicated to members of the family. In Russia, a precise plan was even found with a fallen soldier from Kolcene, which indicated that he had buried gold coins at a certain monument. Unfortunately, nothing of the kind was found and, so that the search would not be continued, fir trees were later planted around the monument.
The strangest thing in this park was the hermit’s house – a small house with a thatched roof, covered with black papyrus. The locals called it Vella’s house. Although Count Mellin was a respected, influential and religious personality, he was also very romantic at the same time. The count is said to have built the house after the death of his beloved wife, kept a coffin there and even tried it on, because he felt lonely in the old house without his wife.
A large, round millstone stood in front of the house. On both sides of it were two black crosses with skulls and an ancient statue of the Latvian pagan deity Līgo. Under the crosses, which were located near the house, it is said that Ludvigs August Mellin’s cook and valet were buried.
An inkwell in the shape of a monk stood on the table in the house. If you lifted the monk’s robe, you would find ink. Here the count wrote his notes, often late in the evenings, and a small light on the top of the hill shone far into the surrounding area, stimulating people’s conversations. There was also an old cupboard with glass doors, which contained all the family’s bridal crowns, and the count’s walking sticks. One was very long, with a distinctive, carved handle.
On the door of the hut there was a white cross and the inscription “Remember death!”. Of course, it was meant philosophically: do not waste the time allotted to you in this land aimlessly. But he did not particularly try to explain this to the local farmers.
If you happen to wander into the paths of Priežkalns Park now, then in the highest and furthest corner of the hill you can find the foundation stones of a hermit’s hut with heavily moss-covered backs. They would have a lot to tell about the bygone days, if only they could talk and we could listen.