Taevaskojad

Taevaskoda is a native name for sandstone cliffs on the banks of the Southern-Estonian rivers. The most famous are the Great Taevaskoda and the Little Taevaskoda, which are located on the shores of the Ahja River in Põlva County. Taevaskoda has emerged from the sand that settled in the sea for 400 million years, which has been shaped by flowing water and ice age. The Great Taevaskoja is 150m long and 22m high, the Little Taevaskoja is 200m long and 13m high. The majestic temples of nature were real sanctuaries in the eyes of the people and from there comes the name – Taevaskoda. During the paganism, sacrifices were brought here to ask for good luck with harvers and other things.

There are also many different legends associated with Taevaskoja. Among other things, Taevaskoja was also a residence for Vanapagan (Old devil) for some time. Vanapagan dug a number of rooms into the cliffs where he used to live. According to the chronicle of Kelch (from 17th to 18th century), there was a large gap in the cliff of the Great Taevaskoja, which opened into the large hall behind it and further into the three chambers. The chambers had passages which led to the big cities like Riga, Kiev and Himmaste.

Today, RMK has built a 3 km hiking trail around the Taevaskoja, which starts from the Saesaare dam and goes to the Great Taevaskoja and back to the dam. On the hiking track there are points of interest which are equipped with information signs and there is also a picnic site. See the RMK website for more information. During the summer season, the rental of the Tiku Holiday Homes is located at the Saesaare dam, where you can rent a boat, canoe, water bicycle or pedal boards.