Strenči surroundings large tracts of forest has long been famous for the wealth of forest animals that Russian Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich came to hunt. In December 1882, in honour for successful hunting, the then owner of the forest, Levenstern, erected a stone obelisk with the following text: "His Majesty the Great, Vladimir Alexandrovich, enjoyed hunting here on December 16 and 17," he said.