Rauna Devil’s Cave is located along the nature trail that follows the banks of the River Rauna.

• The cave covers an area of approximately 50 m² and reaches a depth of 13.6 m, carved into white Devonian sandstone (measurements taken in the summer of 1974).
• Parts of the cave have collapsed several times, with the cave being cleared afterwards.
• The last collapse occurred in the late 1970s – early 1980s, after which the cave remained blocked for more than 20 years.
• It was only cleared in 2004, thanks to the initiative of local residents and businesses.
• Several springs originate above the cave, which develop beautiful icefalls in front of the cave in winter.

 

The legend

A legend about the development of the Devil’s Cave goes that, in ancient times, an old and rich devil lived in the vicinity of Rauna, and his riches could neither be measured nor counted. Initially, he hid his money and gold in hell itself, but young devils found it. He then hid his riches in the forest, but the children of the earth found it while picking berries and mushrooms. He finally decided that a secure hiding place must be made, and dug a large and strong cave in the white cliff. He took the soil that he had dug out, carried it over the river, and piled it into a big hill, creating Tanīsa Hill. The devil lived happily for hundreds of years, until one spring, when the River Rauna flooded, and water started to flow into the cave. The devil took all his riches and left for another, unknown place.