Venta Rapid

Venta Rapid (Latvian: Ventas rumba) is a waterfall on the Venta River in Kuldīga, Latvia. It is the widest waterfall in Europe – 249 metres (817 ft) and up to 270 metres (886 ft) during spring floods. Its height is 1.80–2.20 metres (5.9–7.2 ft) and it changes depending on the water level in the river.

The Waterfall formed on Devonian dolostone. It formed an obstacle on Venta - medieval inland shipping route and due to this here formed settlement - contemporary Kuldīga. In the 17th and 19th centuries there were started works for building a shipping route around the falls but works were abandoned.

Fishing weirs were carved into the stone. They were used to catch salmon and sturgeon. Due to these fishing devices, Kuldīga used to be called to be a town where you can catch salmon in the air. One could catch as many as 80—100 salmon a day. The fish that didn't make the jump up the river were swept by the current back into the canals where they were caught in hanging baskets.

On January 1, 1997, it was designated a natural monument of Latvia.
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