Latvia
Things to do in Cēsis
14 places10 stories2 routes
Sightlore has 14 places to explore in Cēsis, and 10 of them come with a 60-second story in 5 languages. Point your camera at a landmark to learn its name and story, and earn points and badges at the places you actually visit.
Cēsis's must-sees
The city's most important places. In the app you see how many you've visited and earn a badge when you've seen them all.
- 1
Ērgļu klintis
Devonian sandstone cliffs on the left bank of the Gauja River; a protected geological natural monument of national importance.
- 2
Church of the transfiguration of Christ in Cēsis
The Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of Christ in Cēsis, at the north-east of the castle park; St Catherine's Church, ruined in wars, once stood on the site.
- 3
Rozbeķi Castle ruins
Ruins of a 14th–16th century vassal castle of the Archbishopric of Riga near the village of Rozula.
- 4
Victory Monument in Cēsis
A monument on Vienības Square in Cēsis dedicated to the victory of Latvian and Estonian troops in the Battle of Cēsis during the Latvian War of Independence.
- 5
Mazstraupe Castle
A 15th-century vassal castle of the Archbishopric of Riga by the Brasla River in Straupe, about one kilometre north of Lielstraupe Castle.
- 6
Cēsis Castle
Cēsis Castle is one of the most iconic and best preserved medieval castles in Latvia. The foundations of the castle were laid 800 years ago by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword.
Read its story → - 7
Church of Saint John the Baptist in Cēsis
A Lutheran church in Cēsis built in the Brick Gothic style; it is one of the oldest Gothic masonry churches in Latvia and the largest medieval basilica outside Riga.
- 8
Zvārtes iezis
A Devonian sandstone outcrop in Drabeši Parish, Cēsis Municipality, within Gauja National Park; a protected geological natural monument of national importance.
- 9
Ungurmuiža Manor
Ungurmuiža Manor is a manor house in the Raiskums Parish of Cēsis Municipality, in the historical region of Vidzeme, in northern Latvia. The estate is named for the von Ungern family, who owned it prior to the middle of the 17th century.
- 10
Āraiši lake dwelling site
Āraiši lake fortress is an archeological museum with original and reconstructed remnants of Latvian prehistory. It is a unique nationally important archaeological site with remains of the 9th–10th centuries Latgalian lake fortress.
Discovery routes in Cēsis
Visit the stops in any order and tap "Check in" at each one; finish the route to earn points and its own badge.
Cēsis: castle and old town
From the Victory Monument in Cēsis to St. John's Church; then Cēsis New Castle, Cēsis Castle and the Orthodox church.
Around Cēsis: sandstone cliffs and castles
From the Ērgļu klintis cliffs to Ungurmuiža Manor; past the Rozbeķi Castle ruins and Mazstraupe Castle to the Zvārte rock and the Āraiši lake fortress.
Places to visit
Historic sites
Cēsis New Castle
A manor house right beside the medieval castle in Cēsis, part of the Cēsis castle complex.
Cēsis Castle
Cēsis Castle is one of the most iconic and best preserved medieval castles in Latvia. The foundations of the castle were laid 800 years ago by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword.
Ungurmuiža Manor
Ungurmuiža Manor is a manor house in the Raiskums Parish of Cēsis Municipality, in the historical region of Vidzeme, in northern Latvia. The estate is named for the von Ungern family, who owned it prior to the middle of the 17th century.
Rozbeķi Castle ruins
Ruins of a 14th–16th century vassal castle of the Archbishopric of Riga near the village of Rozula.
Mazstraupe Castle
A 15th-century vassal castle of the Archbishopric of Riga by the Brasla River in Straupe, about one kilometre north of Lielstraupe Castle.
Āraiši lake dwelling site
Āraiši lake fortress is an archeological museum with original and reconstructed remnants of Latvian prehistory. It is a unique nationally important archaeological site with remains of the 9th–10th centuries Latgalian lake fortress.
Dzērbene Castle
Site of a 14th–16th century estate castle of the Archbishopric of Riga in Dzērbene; the Dzērbene manor house now stands there.
Skujene Castle ruins
Site of a Livonian Order castle in the village of Skujene on the Piebalga–Nītaure road; only ruins remain on the castle hill.
Vecpiebalga Castle
Vecpiebalga Castle, also called Piebalga Castle, is a bishop's castle in Cēsis Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia.
Places of worship
Church of Saint John the Baptist in Cēsis
A Lutheran church in Cēsis built in the Brick Gothic style; it is one of the oldest Gothic masonry churches in Latvia and the largest medieval basilica outside Riga.
Church of the transfiguration of Christ in Cēsis
The Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of Christ in Cēsis, at the north-east of the castle park; St Catherine's Church, ruined in wars, once stood on the site.
Monuments
Victory Monument in Cēsis
A monument on Vienības Square in Cēsis dedicated to the victory of Latvian and Estonian troops in the Battle of Cēsis during the Latvian War of Independence.
Nature
Ērgļu klintis
Devonian sandstone cliffs on the left bank of the Gauja River; a protected geological natural monument of national importance.
Zvārtes iezis
A Devonian sandstone outcrop in Drabeši Parish, Cēsis Municipality, within Gauja National Park; a protected geological natural monument of national importance.
Explore Cēsis with your camera
Hear the stories on the spot, complete routes, collect badges. Sightlore is coming soon to the App Store.