Liela Ellite (Big Hell)

Arches UK - a collection of Nature’s arches and bridges

Liela Ellite (Big Hell)

Liela Ellite (Big Hell)

NABSQNO 31U 391571 - 5694000

Vidzeme Region. The arch is also known as The Furnace of Linden, Devil's Limekiln, Devil's Oven and other devilish names. The rocks are formed from highly tilted sandstone and the three arches left are the remains of a much larger cave. 

Currently (2021) below the arches are 50 pairs of clay feet created by Olga Melehina, a Russian artist living in Latvia. The original piece of art was created on part of the Latvian coast allowing the tide to wash them away in 24 hours. The work is a metaphor of the frailty of the human condition, here today gone tomorrow, and is called "Twenty Four Hours Before Disappearance". Later she made this replica. The locals just call them Robinson Crusoe's feet!

The arches are located in the small town of Liepa north of the city of Cesis. 

The largest arch has a span of 10 ft and a height of 27 ft, the next a span of 7 ft and a height of 7 ft. The third arch is hidden to the left of the largest arch and has a span of 3 ft and a height of 4 ft.