Lielā Ellīte also known as Velna ceplis (Devil’s Oven) are the only natural sandstone with arches in Latvia. It consists of a 23m long cave, arcade and natural spring. There are three arches next to each other, which are combined to create an arcade. The total floor area of the cave is 55 m2.
Lielā Ellīte could be formed around 6,5–7 thousand years ago. The cave and the spring were once an important holy places. Spring has created unique rock formation. Groundwater is collected over a watertight, flat clay basin, and then flows through layers of sandstone that filters and purifies water.
Lielā Ellīte is a natural geological monument, and is located in the Gauja National Park.
After the collapse of the Sietiņiezis arch, the Great Ellīte arcade has become the only natural sandstone formation of its kind in Latvia. The cave together with the spring is a significant sacred site and very popular since ancient times.
About the Great Ellīte
It could be 6.5 - 7 thousand years old. The cliff continues to be quite distinctive – at the entrance to the cave there are protuberances, niches, hollows, and an arcade which is unique in Latvia.
A living devil
Many legends and tales about Liepa’s Great Ellīte are known nowadays. One story says that a devil had hidden in there, and no prayers or priests were able to drive him out – he frightened the locals and did all sorts of disturbing things.
Finally arrived a priest who had no sins – the devil then tried to flee across the River Gauja to Sietiņiezis. The Gauja blocked the devil’s path, so he gathered up stones like turnips in his hat and dumped them into the depths of the river. A severe thunderstorm ensued, and the Thunder God struck the devil, who managed to "creep across the bottom of the Gauja to Sietīns".