Founded in 1209 by the Knights of the Sword, Cēsis Castle’s dominant feature is its two stout towers at the western end. To enter, visit Cēsis History & Art Museum , in the adjoining 18th-century ‘new castle’. Note the flag flying above – this was the first place in the country to fly the Latvian flag (in 1988 before the country officially broke free from the Soviet Union). The castle’s western tower has a viewpoint overlooking Castle Park , which sits along a scenic lake with lily pads. Temporary art exhibitions and chamber-music concerts are held in Cēsis Exhibition House , next to the tourist office on the same square. The yellow-and-white building housed stables and a coach house (1781) in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Cross the teeny Alekšup?te ravine to reach the site of this castle, built from 1242 to 1245, but ruined during the Great Northern War. The castle watchman’s house was built in 1735 to protect the ruins. Legend has it that the house was the site of executions and beheadings, and the stream behind the house ran red with the victims’ blood. Today a lovely sculpture garden has been set up around the subtle ruins. On the grounds you’ll find the mildly interesting Kuld?ga Historic Museum , located inside a home built in Paris in 1900 to house the Russian pavilion at the World Exhibition. The museum features an exhibit on international playing cards, Viking history and an art gallery on the top floor. A cluster of Duke Jakob’s cannons sits on the front lawn. From the old castle grounds you’ll have a great view of Ventas Rumba(Kuld?ga Waterfall), the widest waterfall in Europe stretching 275m across the river. The chute is only about 2–3ft high and is a popular spot for a quick (and frigid) swim.
Right from the outset when you're handed a lit candle in a glass lantern, it's clear that this isn't an ordinary museum. At its centre is Cēsis Castle , founded in 1209 by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. The candle's to help you negotiate the dark spiral stair in the western tower (the views from the top over Castle Park's picturesque lake are excellent). The museum's extremely interesting displays are in the adjoining 18th-century ‘new castle’. Cēsis first started flying a red-white-red flag in the 13th century, which was adopted as the Latvian national flag following WWI. In 1988, before the country officially left the USSR, Cēsis Castle was the first place to start flying the flag again.Temporary art exhibitions and chamber-music concerts are held in neighbouring Cēsis Exhibition House ; the yellow-and-white building served as stables and a coach house in the 18th and 19th centuries.
