Cesis is a small, picturesque medieval town located in the North East of Latvia, in the region of Gauja, 90 km North-East of Riga. Famous for its medieval castle and history. Cesis it’s the third oldest place in the whole of Latvia and a stunning little town.
Cesis makes an easy day trip from Riga, but if you have time you can actually spend a couple of days in the area, so you can explore the beautiful Gauja National park.
The Castle of Cesis and the Castle Manor House
The Castle is one of the most impressive places to visit in Cesis and is actually a 2 in 1. Also known as the new and the old castle. The entrance fee is €5
The first is the dark stone tower of the old Wendencastle castle (1214). The other is the more castle-like 18th-century manor house, which is now a museum.
Make sure you visit the castle prison and climb the Western Tower for a nice view over Cesis. Also, go for a walk through the beautiful castle park.
Wander around the narrow streets of the Old Town
One of the nicest things to do here is wandering around through the narrow cobbled alleys of the Old Town. There are beautiful buildings in traditional style to have a look at, like the City Hall, the Merchant House, and the Princess House.
Cesis town square and St John’s Church
The town square is called the Rose (Rozu) Square. It’s a lovely place with a fountain, restaurants, and cafes.
Located right in the middle of Town Square is St John’s Church. One of the oldest medieval monuments in Latvia.
The Transfiguration of Christ Orthodox Church
Cesis’s Transfiguration of Christ Orthodox Church was built in Byzantine style and is blue all over.
How to get to Cesis
Bus line 7730 leaves regularly from the centre of Riga and takes about 2 hours. The ticket costs €4.15. There also are regular trains that connect Riga to Cesis, both duration and cost are similar.
photography – all rights reserved – Ana Rocha