Icarus of Priekule

In 1670, the blacksmith of Priekule Manor made his first attempt to fly through the air to the village of Skuodas, for which Baron Korff had promised him 500 gold ducats.

The blacksmith, often referred to as Edas Varaceplis or Dzelzceplis due to the location of his forge, had gained the attention of many locals with his audacious plan. On the day of the flight, people from the surrounding area gathered in Priekule, including the bailiff of the Duke of Grobiņa, accompanied by horsemen, who threatened to imprison the irreverent and godless blacksmith for his boldness.

Protected by Baron Korff, the blacksmith attached what appeared to be sturdy, large canvas wings to himself, along with a small box at his chest that held the wings together. He began his flight from the ball of the Priekule church tower, which he had himself installed. To the astonishment of the gathered crowd, he bravely took off, soaring through the air for nearly two versts before falling and breaking his leg.

To the people of the Priekule region, the blacksmith was a true hero, though others called him a blasphemer and demanded he face trial. Baron Korff, however, defended the blacksmith of his manor. Following the flight, Korff declared the blacksmith under the protection of the King of Poland and, in the autumn, escorted him to Vilnius with a strong guard.

However, on the Lithuanian border, the blacksmith’s escort was attacked by horsemen loyal to the captain of Grobiņa. The blacksmith was captured and taken to Grobiņa, where he was accused of heresy, condemned as a sorcerer and an ally of the devil, and burned at the stake.

Despite his tragic end, many admired the blacksmith's courage and audacity—to rise on wings, fly freely like a bird, and believe in his dream.