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Saunags (Livonian: ''Sǟnag'', Russian: Саунагс or Саунаг. Other names: Saunagdtsiems, Saunaga, Saunaga Ciems, Saunaguciems) is a populated place in Kolka parish, Dundaga municipality, Latvia, located 10 km from the Cape Kolka, within the borders of Slītere National Park. Name derived from Livonian ''Sǟnag'', meaning pike-perch (scientific Latin name: Sander (genus), Russian: судак), a local fish. First mentioned in documents in 1310, it is the oldest of the twelve Livonian villages on the ''Līvõd rānda'' - the Livonian Coast. It consists of two parts - Saunags and Dižsaunags (from Latvian - Great Saunags), the later being the oldest and more preserved one. Located along the coast of the Baltic Sea and formerly inhabited by Livonian people or Livs. == History and local landmarks == Saunags is positioned on crossing of parallel going via Goteborg (Sweden) and meridian going via Turku (Finland), both are important ancient regional trading and cultural centres. Although away from large towns and always scarcely populated, the coast always played the strategic importance in many wars, because of its proximity to Irbe Strait, the main sea route to Riga. Marine maps are dotted with sunken ships, going back to medieval time and as recent as World War II. During the Crimean war British navy landed here and burned down Russian Empire military outpost in Saunags. During the First World War Russian navy placed large number of naval mines off-shore here (this was the first time in Baltic navy history application of so many mines in one place). Many German ships were destroyed here. During the Second World War German guns located here allowed to control the Irbe Strait (the main battery was located opposite at Saaremaa island). After World War II, this area become the Soviet western border. There is a former site of USSR border guards tower, projector light and small security house (the only one still standing). The straight passage, located behind the dunes parallel to the coast, connects Dižsaunags with the former lighthouse (presently light is dismantled and tower turned into just Saunagciema navigational sign) in the direction of Vaide. It runs along Akacijas estate and few abandoned German and Soviet military bunkers and was also used as military supply route during World War II, and, after the war, by Soviet border guards, as well as coast guards servicing the lighthouse. The coastal narrow gauge railway was planned here linking Pitrags and Mazirbe, but was left unfinished during World War I - see Livonian coast). This historic forest road is still used occasionally by local residents. According to a local legend, there is a Medieval burial ground on the outskirts of the village in the direction of Vaide, however archeological works conducted in 2012 did not find any burials there (except just some pets). Next to this site lay the ruins of the first Soviet military base built by troops of Baltic Military District soon after World War II. Curiously, Saunags is also home to great lime tree (Niglini estate) and group of great black alder (''Alnus glutinosa'') trees (Kalnbunkas estate) - http://www.dabasretumi.lv/Raksti/GEnMelnalksni.htm (in Latvian). There is registry in Latvia listing all great or largest trees and this is the only location of two types of great trees in one place. Village can be accessed from the main asphalted road or via forest road connecting Saunags with Vaide and Pitrags. There are timber signs on the forest road marking borders of Saunags. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Saunags」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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