Cesis un Cesis district
Latvians say that the real Latvia lies outside of its capital Riga. Little more than an hour's drive from the capital, Cēsis is right in the country's heartland.
In Cēsis, preparing to celebrate our 800-year anniversary in 2006, we take a real pride in our small town's big history. Cēsis Castle, now a majestic ruin, was in medieval times the main stronghold of the Livonian knights, who ruled most of Latvia and Estonia. Centuries later, this was the battleground of Latvia's independence war. And the statue of Lenin, toppled from its pedestal in 1991, still lies in its wooden coffin.
But we bring the past to life: we have artisans who practice their ancient skills and who'll even let you try your hand. We have the master of the knights himself, from the 16th century, to guide you round his castle. Not to mention the beer brewing tradition since 1590 and the annual beer fest...
Cēsis has always been an attractive place for people - even centuries ago. The natural beauty is likely one of the reasons many castles and manors were built in the area. A few of those - from the 18th century- have been preserved to the present day including the Cesis Livonian Order Castle, Lielstraupes Castle and Ungurmuižas which is the only 18th century wooden manor complex of its kind still standing today in Latvia.
The pride of this area truly is the Gauja - ever changing, winding, and strong. As legends tell, the fox went to Alauksta Lake to have a drink but feeling as if the shore was going to cave in; he turned around and ran away. While running away, he could feel more and more water at his feet. As the fox's trail wound away from the lake, so too does the path of the Gauja today and that is why the river has a fox's nature: a strong current, but not predictable.
The cultural historic nature park's landscape and geography is filled with gullies, embankments, small winding streams and tributaries - Vinterupīte, Pirtsupīte and Siļķupīte -meadows, and forest. Red like the fox's coat are the sandstone cliffs -Sarkanās klintis at the Gaujas on Peldu iela, Zvanu klintis, Gaujas cave between Gauju and Peldu iela. And the fox's footprints left behind... as mineral water springs - Dzidravaots, Gaujas avots, Svētavots and Rūcamavots.
The Livs called the Gauju "Bērzupi" (Birch River) and was a special place to find fresh-water pearls.
Facts about Cesis and Cesis district
Historically, Cēsis district is located in the central part of Vidzeme region, and geographically - in the north-east part of Latvia, 90 km away from Riga - the capital city of the state.
The total area of the Cēsis district land is 2973,1 km2. It is the fourth largest district in Latvia means of land area. The greater part of the district's territory - 1610,7 km2 or 52,6% - is covered with forests.
The district has the characteristic climate of Vidzeme central height with an early setting in of frost in autumn, comparatively long winters, a big amount of precipitations.
There are 57 228 inhabitants in Cēsis district, including 18 504 inhabitants in Cēsis city.
History of town of Cesis
The vicinity around Cēsis in the 11th and 12th centuries was a Latgalian and Vidzeme Livs - Jersikas, Turaidas, Idumejas and Tālavas meeting place. This was the site for many significant battles and meetings. The site of Riekstu kalns in today's city plan is looked upon and the birthplace of Cēsis because it was here in the 11th-13th centuries that a Liv wooden castle (vendu) was built. The word vendu also gave rise to the Germanified version of the town name "Wenden".
Historic sources site the name Cēsis being first mentioned in 1206 in an Indriķs chronicle. German knights, understanding the geographical significance of the area, started to build a stone castle across form the wooden castle mound. The village of Cēsis is mentioned in 1221 in the same chronicles but Cēsis as a town is only mentioned for the first time in 1323. The castle over time becomes a Livonian Order land centre - form 1236 - 1561 it was a Livonian Master's residence.
The end of the14th century and beginning of the 15th century saw Cēsis grow rapidly. The town became a member of the Hansa Union and was home to members of the international Blackhead Association. Livonia's blossoming era (under the rule of master V. Pletenberga) saw Cēsis even mint its own gold money.
Order Master V. Pletenbergs lobbied hard to make the town the Order's capital in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Further development of the city was interrupted by the Livonian wars.
The town once again suffered the ravages of war during the Great Northern War (1700- 1721). In 1700, Cēsis was taken by a Saxon troop, 1701, by Swedes, 1703, by the Russians. The Russians destroyed the town so completely that there remained only 2-3 Latvian huts next to Kathrin's Gate. From this time onward, the majestic castle and town's fortifications were no longer repaired and after the Northern War.
In 1766, Russia's Empress Kathrin the Great approved the town's privileges and reinstated all former rights.
The town really starts to grow at the end of the 19th century.
After WWII the town started industrial development and rapid workforce migration and apartment construction began. In 1959 the population reached 13900 and in the 1970's and 80's, a wide range of health care facilities and recreation facilities opened for operation. New residential areas were developed. But in the end, Cēsis also survived even the Soviet Era and managed to preserve its small town Latvian flavour.
Cesis City Coat of arms
Cesis City Coat of Arms: red cogged brick wall in the blue background with 5 (five) little towers and opened gates with raised grid, warrior in natural colours, standing on the wall with raised sword and shield.
Cesis City Flag
On the background, which is in the colour of the State flag, there is a straight cross in white with a squabbled vertical ass line in the direction of flag's fastening. The vertical and horizontal lines of the cross form a square on the right side. Cesis City Coat of Arms is placed in the centre of the cross.
Cesis city council
Address: Raunas street 4, Cēsis, LV - 4101
Phone/fax: +371 64124571
E-mail: cesis@dome.apollo.lv
Website: www.cesis.lv
Cēsis district council
Address: Bērzaines street 5, Cēsis, LV-4101
Phone: +371 64122231,
Phone/fax: +371 64122238
E-mail: padome@cesurajons.lv
Website: www.cesurajons.lv
PHOTO GALLERY CESIS
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