What to See in Cēsis, Latvia: Free Audio Guide

Cēsis is a historic town in Latvia’s Vidzeme region, known for its medieval castle, Gothic church and connection to the Gauja Valley. Its compact centre brings together important landmarks and open public spaces, making it a rewarding place to explore on foot. Neywo has a free audio guide for Cēsis with 5 narrated places, available in 11 languages.

What to see in Cēsis

Cēsis Castle

Cēsis Castle, also known by its German name, Schloß Wenden, is one of Latvia’s outstanding historic destinations. Construction began before 1218, when the Livonian Brothers of the Sword started building the medieval fortress. Under the Teutonic Order, the castle became an important administrative and economic centre, as well as the residence of the Landmeister of Livonia.

During the Livonian War, Cēsis was considered the strongest fortress in Livonia. Its first major destruction came during a siege by the army of Ivan the Terrible. In September 1577, around 300 people who had taken refuge inside the castle chose death rather than capture and blew themselves up with gunpowder.

The castle continued to be used during the following century, but it was not rebuilt after the Great Northern War. The former gate building of the outer bailey was reconstructed as a manor house known as Cēsis New Castle. Today, the surviving remains of Cēsis Castle offer a direct connection with the town’s medieval past and are its most visited heritage site.

Church of Saint John the Baptist in Cēsis

The Church of Saint John the Baptist in Cēsis is one of Latvia’s oldest Gothic stone churches and the country’s largest medieval basilica outside Riga. The building measures 65 metres long and 32 metres wide, giving it a substantial presence in the historic centre.

The church’s religious role changed over the centuries. It became one of the centres of the Reformation in northern Latvia in the sixteenth century, then became a Catholic cathedral in 1582. Since 1629, it has been a Lutheran church.

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Cēsis Seventh-day Adventist Church represents a more recent chapter in the city’s religious history. The congregation was founded in 1910 and met in several locations over the years, including the premises of Cēsis St. Anne’s Church from 1968 until 2007.

The present church building was constructed in 2007, marking the latest stage in the congregation’s long history in Cēsis.

Vienības Square

Vienības Square is the main square and street in the centre of Cēsis. Its broad open space and the many streets leading into it make it an important meeting point within the city.

The square is also a useful place to understand the layout of central Cēsis, with several routes extending from it into the surrounding streets and historic areas.

Uzvaras piemineklis

The Uzvaras piemineklis stands in Vienības Square and is also known as the Freedom Monument or the Monument to Fallen Heroes. Its different names reflect the importance of the memorial to the city.

The monument commemorates the victory of Latvian and Estonian forces in the Battles of Cēsis, fought during Latvia’s War of Independence.

Explore Cēsis with a self-guided walking tour

A Cēsis self-guided walking tour is a simple way to connect the town’s main landmarks in a single route. The Neywo walk, “Cēsis: Knights, Ruins and the War of Independence”, covers 0.56 km, takes 28 minutes and includes 4 narrated stops: Cēsis Castle, the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Cēsis, Uzvaras piemineklis and Vienības laukums.

The route focuses on the historic centre and links the medieval fortress with the church and the memorials connected with Latvia’s War of Independence. Cēsis is part of Vidzeme, a region that also includes nearby cities such as Sigulda and Valmiera.

Download the Neywo audio guide for Cēsis

Download Neywo to explore Cēsis with 1 walking tour covering 0.56 km in 28 minutes and featuring 4 narrated stops. The free Cēsis audio guide includes 5 narrated places in total, with narration available in 11 languages.

The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. It is a practical way to discover Cēsis while walking through its historic centre—and to continue exploring Latvia beyond the city.