Cesis Medieval Castle

The castle of the Livonian Order at Cesis is a genuine medieval ruin, and its best trick is honest theatre: you borrow a candle lantern to climb the dark spiral of the western tower, as visitors would have centuries ago. It sits beside a newer manor and one of the most complete historic towns in the country.

History

In 1208 the Livonian Brothers of the Sword settled among the Wends in their hillfort, and in 1213 or 1214 they began a stone castle beside it. In 1237 the castle passed to the Livonian branch of the Teutonic Order, which rebuilt it as a monumental square castle of four ranges around a courtyard, a form brought from Prussia (Wikipedia, Cēsis Castle).

Highlights

• The candlelit tower - climb the medieval western tower by lantern up a dark stone stair.
• The Order castle ruins - walls, courtyards and cellars of the Livonian stronghold.
• The new castle and park - an 18th-century manor and landscaped park beside the ruins.
• Cesis old town - cobbled streets, wooden houses and St John's church next door.

When to go

Snow-free months for the ruins; the old town is charming year-round and especially in autumn. Evenings and off-season give the candlelit climb more atmosphere.

Practical notes

The ruin is genuinely ruined, so it is about atmosphere and the lantern climb rather than grand restored rooms. The tower stair is steep, dark and not for the unsteady. Cesis town itself is half the reason to come, so leave time to walk it.

Nearby

The Gauja National Park spreads south toward Sigulda; the Cesis brewery and the surrounding forests are close.

Key facts