Picture by A. Pundurs, November 2003
Picture by G. Pavils, September 2002
Picture by G. Pavils, June 1999
Coordinates: N 57°14'45,6" E 25°08'33,2"
Location: Cesis district, Drabesi municipality, left bank of Amata River, 400 m W
from former Zvartes;
Description: One of the most picturesque and popular cliffs in Latvia. Wonderful sights
from the top of this cliff. Horseshoe formed cliff. It consists of two parts - smaller and lower
vertical sandstone “nose” and horseshoe-shaped steep which is some 150 m long and up
to 45 m high. Sandstone “nose” is not available for tourists, but the steep is
accessible by staircase built by Gauja National Park.
This cliff was considerably larger once ago but it has eroded over the last decades. There was
changed the bed of Amata river to prevent the denudation of the cliff in 1939 - this in turn
has caused erosion and owergrowth of this cliff.
Zvarte cliff before World War II
Zvarte cliff before World War II
Picture by G. Pavils, April 2003
Picture by A. Pundurs, April 2003
Picture by A. Pundurs, April 2003
Picture by A. Pundurs, November 2003
© 2005 Latvian Nature Heritage Fund Editor - Ansis Opmanis Design and code - Gatis Pavils