Oak "Big Andrew"

In Skrīveri, on the top of Sprūdi Hill, stands the impressive oak tree “Great Andrejs” – a significant natural and cultural historical monument with a wide view of the ancient Dīvaja valley, Jaunjelgava and the Daugava valley.

The oak tree was discovered in the summer of 1976 by the poet Imants Ziedonis together with his son Rimants. A month later, he returned together with the so-called “liberators of the oak trees” – artists, students and local residents, to clean the area and free the oak from bushes, restoring its importance in the landscape.

In 1977, the oak tree was named “Great Andrejs”, honoring the centenary of the writer Andrejs Upītis. The tree’s circumference at a height of 1.3 meters reaches 6.15 meters, and on May 27, 2021, it was officially included in the Register of Nationally Important Trees of Latvia. An informative sign “Oak Leaf” has been installed near the oak tree, which tells about its significance.

A trail leads up to the oak tree along the hillside, and a scenic panorama opens up from the top. “Great Andrejs” is not only a symbol of the majesty of nature, but also a story about people’s respect for nature, literature and the cultural heritage of Latvia.