[2010]
[2010]
Cave House
| Location: | At Helme, near Tõrva, Valgamaa, Estland. |
| Open: |
No restrictions. [2010] |
| Fee: |
free. [2010] |
| Classification: |
Cave House
|
| Light: | bring torch |
| Dimension: | |
| Guided tours: | |
| Photography: | |
| Accessibility: | |
| Bibliography: | |
| Address: | |
| Last update: | $Date: 2011/12/13 09:01:29 $ |
Helme Koopad (Helme Cave) is an artificial cave cut into a sandstone outrcrop near the ruins of Helme castle. The locals call it Vanakurja vats (Devil's Stomach) or Moosese kirik (Moses' Church). There are several chambers, according to legend there were once seven chambers. Some are said to have caved in. The caves may have started as a natural phenomenon, but were widened manually.
The castle was built by the Teutonic Knights at the end of the 13th century. In the 16th century it became Polish. In the 17th century it was seized by the Swedes, and finally destroyed in 1658.
It is rather unclear why the caves were built. One legend says it was because of the fights around the castle. But who hid in the caves is unclear. And there is also the inevitable legend that the cave is the start of underground passages leading to the castle.
The cave received its current state during the 18th century, when the local landlord planned to build a grotto similar to those in England. It seems the grotto was never completed.
| Main Index | Misc Coutries | Estonia |
| Last updated Terms of Use, © Jochen Duckeck. |
Custom Search
|
 |
Maps Alphabetical Index |
|
Contact showcaves.com: |
|
General Information |