Are you ready to go on a 10-kilometre journey through the history and architecture of Cesis? This fascinating route starts at the ancient Horse Post Station, which was probably once one of the most important postal stops in Vidzeme. Coincidentally or coincidentally, where the post horses used to run, you can now rent modern “iron steeds” – electric bicycles!
Then the road leads to the German Cemetery of Cesis, where many prominent Cēsis residents are buried among the old trees – the parents of composer Alfreds Kalnins, the first professional photographer of Cesis and even a general of the Latvian army. Continuing your walk, you will come to an unusual cultural and historical site – the Turkish Soldiers’ Cemetery, where 26 Turkish soldiers are buried who chose to stay in Cesis after the Russo-Turkish War, but unfortunately could not withstand the northern climate.
A longer stretch of road leads you to the impressive Bridge House and the picturesque Pirtsupīte ravine, which has been transformed from a Soviet-era “Smirdupīte” into a beautiful recreational spot. Did you know that this ravine is where the famous Battle of Cesis used to be reconstructed?
The route continues to the special Cēsis Orthodox Church, built on the 14th century St. The pathway of the church is made from the building materials of the ancient church!
The road then leads you to the impressive “Stone Nest” – a building that briefly served as the seat of government of the Latvian capital in 1919, and the adjacent Cēsis Library, where even the French envoy once stayed.
Finally, the route takes you back to the Old Town, where you will discover the restored Vanadzinis House, the crooked Turkish bakery or “Cesis Pizza Tower”, where Turkish prisoners once baked bread so excellent that even noble ladies bought it, and the historic Harmonija House, where composer Alfreds Kalniņš was born.
The route ends in Pioneer Square, a green area that preserves a whole layer of the city’s history, because until 1944 it was densely built up with streets destroyed by the ravages of war.
Bring water, comfortable shoes and a camera – there will be plenty to capture, because Cēsis is like an open book, where the facade of each building hides fascinating stories about the life of the seven-hundred-year-old city!
