Kalēja cave (Kalējala)
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Kalēja cave (Kalējala)

The cave is on the right bank of river Strīķupe.

The 45 m long and up to 5.5 m high cave is still being shaped by the spring flowing out of it. In the cave there is a small lake. Legends tell about a smith who had lived in the cave. Some time ago the caves were closed to visitors (sandstone degradation, wintering site for bats); but now there is appropriate tourism infrastructure.
www.entergauja.com

 


The Blacksmith's Cave is located on the left bankside of River Striķupe, ~3m above its estuary in River Gauja. It is one of the longest sandstone caves in Latvia - approximately 46 metres long.

Since 1974 the cave is a geological and geomorphological nature monument. It is also a protected habitat in Latvia and throughout the European Union.

The cave has developed in loose sandstone that is rapidly disintegrating, therefore the length and shape of the cave is also changing. The ceiling of the cave is not secure and the entrance of the cave is collapsing. The pillars of the cave have already collapsed and a stream that was once flowing through the cave has now disappeared.