- Address: Gauja National Park, Sigulda, Siguldas pilsēta, LV-2150, Latvia;
- Opening hours: 24 hours.
In territory of Latvia there is the biggest cave of Baltic. This is Gutman's cave in Sigulda , a city that is located in the Gauja National Park . Covered with legends, the cave has been popular with tourists for more than one century.
Inside the cave
The depth of the Gutman cave is 18.8 m, its height reaches 10 m, and the width - up to 12 m.
The red sandstone, from which the cave walls are built, is more than 400 million years old. For many years, the underground waters of Gaui were ground with sandstone. So began to form a cave, which later became an ancient cult place.
From the cave follows a spring that flows into Gauja . It is believed that it has medicinal properties. According to legend, this healer treated Gutmanis (German "good man"), whose name is the cave.
But the most famous story related to Gutman's Cave is the legend of Turaida Rose, a girl who went to death for love and honor. In the cave of Gutman she died. This legend in detail will tell you and the guide, and any local resident.
Cave Gutman - also the oldest tourist object. All its walls are covered with paintings, the first inscriptions date back to 1668 and 1677. Inscriptions and coat of arms on the walls were made by masters who offered their services directly at the cave.
How to get from Sigulda?
From the city to the cave can be accessed in two ways.
- Go on the road to the north and cross the bridge across the Gauja. Cave Gutman will be on the left side, not reaching Turaida.
- Get to the place Krimulda on the funicular and go on foot.
To the tourist on a note
Not far from the Gutman Cave, closer to the road, there is a visitor center for the Gauja National Park, where you can get information about the cave itself and other tourist sites of the park.