Cave mouth
Sandstone.
PROP1001 — CC0 · PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Qasinka — CC0
Gūtmanis Cave is the widest and highest cave in the Baltic countries, on the bank of the Gauja river in the river's ancient valley, within Gauja National Park near Sigulda, Latvia, about 3 km from Sigulda in a straight line. The cave began forming more than 10,000 years ago, when meltwater eroded the sandstone after the Ice Age. It is 18.8 metres deep, 12 metres wide and 10 metres high, formed in yellow-brown sandstone by thousands of years of interaction between the river and an underground spring. It is Latvia's oldest tourist attraction, and inscriptions from the 17th century cover its walls. The cave's wide arched mouth opens in a cliff of orange and brown sandstone ringed by dense green forest, with a small clear spring running out of it. Its walls are covered with names, initials and dates carved by visitors over the centuries. Visitors walk to the cave on a forest path from Sigulda or nearby Turaida Castle and read the old inscriptions. The cave is linked to the local legend of the Rose of Turaida; please do not carve the walls, to protect them.
Sandstone.
Over the centuries.
Clear water.
Near Sigulda, Gauja National Park, Latvia
Krimulda CastleKrimulda Castle is a 14th-century castle ruin just outside Sigulda, in the Vidze12 minutes walk
Turaida CastleA red brick castle above the valley of the river Gauja near Sigulda, built in 1212 minutes walk4.7
Sigulda Medieval CastleSigulda Medieval Castle is a stone ruin on the left bank of the Gauja Valley, in15 minutes walkAbout half an hour.
Turaida Castle.