Cēsis
The city was founded in 1206; it is the third oldest city in Latvia. The city castle was one of the main centers of the Livonian Order and its masters. The trade development in the 15th century influenced on further development and prosperity of the city. At that time Cēsis became a member of the Hanseatic League. In the second half of the 16th century, the development of the city was interrupted by the invasion of Russian Tsar – Ivan the Terrible. Then Poles and Swedes alternately assume power over the city. In 1703, during the Great Northern War, Cēsis is became the Russian city again. Today city keeps the unique atmosphere of the Middle Ages, which consists of Cesis Medieval Castle, extant streets of the old town, stone and wooden buildings, villas and old estates on the banks the Gauja river.
Panoramic tour of Cēsis. Cēsis is a small resort town, where natural beauty emphasizes the charm of ancient architecture. During the tour you will meet a lot of medieval architecture monuments: the ruins of Cēsis Medieval castle, which was built in 13th century and reached its fullest flower by 15th century in time of Livonian Order; St. John’s Church, dated from the 13th century, where you will find preserved tombstones over the graves of the Livonian Order’s masters; the charming cobbled streets of the Middle Ages and old houses of 18-19th centuries stretch in all directions around the castle and the church.
