Cēsis Castle — Attraction in Cēsis

Rugged and intimidating! Cēsis Castle may be "only" a ruin, but it still exudes an intimidating robustness. Schloß Wenden, the original German name of Cēsis Castle, is one of the most iconic and best preserved castles in Latvia. In the autumn of 1206, during the Baltic Crusade, the Wends converted to Christianity and became allies of the crusaders. In 1208, the Livonian Brothers of the Sword moved in with the Wends in their hillfort and fortified it with a stone defensive wall, and although the fortress is described as "the smallest in Livonia", it withstood repeated attacks by the Estonians and Russians. In 123 or 1214, the Brothers of the Sword built a new stone castle next to the hillfort. In 1237, Cēsis Castle passed into the hands of the Livonian Order, a branch of the Teutonic Order, and became the seat of the Master of the Order. Extensive reconstructions and extensions followed, making Cēsis Castle one of the largest and mightiest castles of the Teutonic Order. With the dissolution of the semi-autonomous Livonian Order in 1561 and subsequent sieges, the castle's decline began. The siege of 1577 by Ivan IV the Terrible became famous for the mass suicide of the castle's 300 defenders. After the castle came under direct control of the King of Sweden in 1681, his soldiers wreaked havoc in the castle. It seemed as if they were plundering rather than defending it. In the first years of the Great Northern War the Russian troops demolisd Cēsis Castle further. In the centuries that followed, nature had free rein to bury the castle in its own rubble. In 1760s the former gatehouse was rebuilt as a manor house, the so-called New Castle. In the 1830s the castle park was laid out at the foot of the ruins, and the first safety repair works were carried out. With the reconstruction of the roof of the West Tower the first serious restoration works began in 1903. Major conservation works were undertaken starting from 1930s when Cēsis Castle became popular as a tourist attraction. Today the castle remains a popular and educational destination, which is definitely...

Stepping Back in Time - The Enthralling Cēsis Castle

There's something enchanting about Cēsis Castle that you can't quite put into words. It's a remarkable journey back in time, an absolute treasure trove for history enthusiasts, and a true highlight of any trip to Latvia.

The castle, originally built in the 13th century, is incredibly well-preserved, allowing you to really visualize what life might have been like during the medieval times. Each stone, every room, every detail of this majestic castle resonates with a rich history and fascinating stories waiting to be discovered.

The self-guided tour is an exceptional way to explore the castle. Equipped with a lantern, you're free to navigate through the dimly lit hallways, tower stairs, and spacious rooms at your own pace, which truly adds an element of mystery and excitement. The museum exhibits within the castle are thoughtfully arranged, providing a thorough understanding of the castle's history and the region's cultural significance.

The view from the top of the Western tower is simply breathtaking, offering a panoramic vista of the charming town of Cēsis and the surrounding green landscapes. It's a sight that alone is worth the visit!

The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, making the visit not just educational, but also genuinely enjoyable. What really sets Cēsis Castle apart, though, is its ability to immerse you in the past in a way that few other places can. Cēsis Castle is not just a monument, it's an experience - a leap into the past that enriches your understanding of Latvia's rich history. A definite must-see for history lovers and curious minds alike! A solid five-star rating for this remarkable...

Wow, this is really awesome place to visit! it remains the medieval castle in Latvia. You can learn how the castle was built and invaded by foreign countries from the historical museum too. For the castle and its two tower tour, they offer you a medieval lamp to stroke around even in deep dark area(believe me there are certain area really black out and cold). We were kind of worried about a very short candle can last for the enough time we'd visit to the two towers and the jail at the very bottom, but it turned out to be ok. Worth of visit!! - note for those who would not understand Latvia language, there are some sheets of papers for the guidance but we took some photoshots as there were far too many things to feel and learn from the castle. Very beautiful place! We used CATA bus from Riga, it took us about 1hr and 50min and 5.32Eur one way. It was very convenient to use bussystem reservation system even for...