Paldiski Cliff, Limestone cliff formation in Lääne-Harju Rural Municipality, Estonia.
Paldiski Cliff is a limestone formation that runs along the Pakri peninsula with steep vertical walls rising above the Baltic Sea. The rock face displays distinct layers of sediment and reaches heights of several dozen meters.
During the Soviet era, the area served as a restricted military training base for submarines. Following the end of Soviet rule, it transitioned into a publicly accessible natural site.
The cliff forms part of the Baltic Klint, a long ridge that shaped how Estonians have viewed their coastal landscape for centuries. Walking along the base reveals the layered rock, which tells the story of ancient seas that once covered this region.
The cliff is accessible by foot trails from Paldiski town along the coastline. Visit during dry weather, as the paths can become slippery and coastal winds can be strong.
The limestone layers contain fossils of marine creatures from the Ordovician period, hundreds of millions of years old. These preserved remains let visitors directly observe ancient European seabed history written into the rock walls.
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