Cēsis Castle Complex
Livonian Order castle ruins visited by lantern, with the New Castle museum and Lademacher tower.
Building of the stone castle at Cēsis began around 1214 for the Order of the Brothers of the Sword and continued under the Livonian Order, which made Wenden one of its principal residences and the seat of several masters. The fortress was repeatedly besieged; in 1577, during the Livonian War, defenders blew up part of it rather than surrender to the army of Ivan the Terrible. Left as a ruin after the Great Northern War, it survives as one of the most complete medieval castle ruins in Latvia.
Visitors are given candle lanterns to climb the dark spiral stair of the western tower, and the courtyard, cellars and the restored master's chambers can be walked. Next to the ruin stands the New Castle, a manor house remodelled from 1777 with a neo-gothic Lademacher tower of the 1840s; since 1925 it has held the Cēsis History and Art Museum, whose displays cover the town's part in Latvian history. The exhibition hall, castle park and visitor centre complete the site.
Highlights
- Candle-lantern climb up the medieval western tower
- Ruined Livonian Order stronghold begun in the early 13th century
- New Castle museum with period interiors and the Lademacher tower
- Castle park, ponds and visitor centre on Pils laukums
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