- Address: Pils laukums 9, Cēsis, Cēsu pilsēta, LV-4101, Latvia;
- Founder: Winno von Rohrbach;
- Founding date: 1209;
- Website: cesupils.lv;
- Phone: +371 28 318 318;
- Operating time: Mon. - Sat. 10-17, Sun. - 10-16.
The Cesis Castle, also known as the Wenden Castle, is located in the center of Cesis , in the territory of the Gauja National Park . Two features distinguish it from other Castle castles in Latvia: first, of all the castles, the Vendenskiy is the largest, and secondly, it is rather well preserved in comparison with the rest.
History of the castle
This territory was once inhabited by the Vendians - hence the name of the castle. In the beginning of XIII century. Order of the Swordmen laid a stone castle here on the orders of the first Master of the Order of Vinho von Rohrbach. For a long time there was a legend that the master was here and died at the hands of one of the brothers of the order (as it turned out much later, in fact, he died in the castle of Riga ).
In 1237 the Order of Sword-bearers joined the Teutonic Order and became known on their lands as the Livonian Order. It was in the chronicles of the Livonian Order that the Vendian Cesis Castle was first mentioned. The castle has become the residence of the Masters of the Order, every year a meeting of high ranks was held here. Not once or twice here, the issues of war and peace were decided.
By the XVI century. Towers built round towers, and he acquired the present look.
In 1577, during the Livonian War, the Russian army fought at the castle walls under the leadership of Ivan the Terrible. Then, in a panic, the besieged undermined the castle, causing irreparable damage to it. Later, the castle was repeatedly destroyed in the course of hostilities. In the XVIII century. it became completely useless for use and was abandoned.
At the end of the XVIII century. on the ruins of fortifications was built New Castle - a manor in two floors with a penthouse, which served as the residence of Count von Sivers. The tower of Lademacher was built from above, the Latvian flag was mounted on the tower.
In the XX century. the castle was restored several times. Since the 1950's. in the New Castle is the Museum of History and Art of Cesis. The permanent exposition of the museum is dedicated to the contribution of Cesis to the history and culture of Latvia. The museum reconstructs the interiors of the residential manor premises: a library, a coffee room, a cabinet. Through the library you can climb the tower, where an observation deck is equipped.
What to do in a medieval castle?
Vendensky Cesis Castle and the surrounding area are available for inspection. Here you can:
- To visit the rooms of the Master of the Order and learn more about his daily life.
- Go down into the dungeons of the dungeons of the castle , lighting your way with a lantern with a candle. In the Middle Ages, it was thought that one could not get out of these dungeons, when one of the prisoners could escape, he was accused of a deal with the devil.
- On a narrow and steep staircase, climb the tower , from where you can see the Old Town.
- Go into the garden in the courtyard of the castle, where a special person will tour (the garden is open in the summer).
- Look into the forge of jewelry and learn more about the work of ancient jewelers.
- Ride on the boat in the castle park in summer or on skates in the open air - in the winter.
- Listen to the concert of chamber music in the castle garden and take part in the medieval festival.
It is worth noting that a red-white-red cloth flutters above the tower of Lademacher. The first mention of the Latvian flag is connected with Cēsis, therefore the city is considered its homeland.
In this regard, the Museum of History and Art of Cesis collected the largest collection of historical materials in Latvia on the history of the national flag. Worth seeing!
How to get there?
From Riga, which is 90 km, you can reach Cesis by rail. There are buses from the capital and intercity buses (travel time is less than two hours). From the bus station to the castle can be reached on foot or by bus (stop "Castle Park").
To the tourist on a note
Near the New Castle is the Cēsis Tourism Information Center, where you can get information about both the castle itself and other sights of the ancient city.