Lielā Ellīte Cave and Spring in Liepa

It is no longer possible to enter the 23 m long Lielā Ellīte Cave, since the portal has collapsed. However, next to the cave there is a unique arcade made of three arches.

The extraordinary Ellīte Cave system was created roughly seven thousand years ago by a powerful brooklet coming out of a spring, the waters of which can be tasted.

Since many centuries Lielā Ellīte Cave has been a significant holy place. People used to believe in the healing properties of the spring.

There are inscriptions on the external wall of the cave, the eldest even dating back to 1500 and proving the cave was a popular sightseeing object since long ago.

Lielā Ellīte Cave of Liepa is myth-enshrouded. One of them tells the devil had hid in the cave and none of the prayers by priests could make him leave it. However, once there came a priest who was free of sins and the devil had to rush away.

Free entrance.

Facts and figures

• Lielā Ellīte Cave has been popular since long ago and is mentioned among the first tourism objects in the Latvian tourism history.
• Next to the cave, there is a monument to Estonian and Latvian soldiers, who fell in the Battle of Cēsis in 1919.
• Lielā Ellīte Cave has inspired also the poet Eduards Veidenbaums, who often visited the place.
• The cave is also called Velna ceplis (Devil’s Kiln), Velna krāsns (Devil’s Oven), Velna Cave (Devil’s cave), Liepmuiža Cave.
• There is a bridge erected to cross the spring and make it easier to see the sandstone rock.

For your conveniences

• Free parking
• WC
• Free picnic site
• Access for disabled persons
• Information stand about the cave