| Laipni lūdzam Cēsu pili! This medieval castle was built around the beginning of the 13th century as a fortress. The town of Cesis is positioned in a very strategic location near a major trading route that ran east and west. This defensive fortress started out as a small castle (originally named Wenden Castle) for the German Master of Order, and over the years many expansions were built, and the town grew around it. New wings, towers, and a moat were later added. The main walls were made bigger in the coming years as well. Due to Latvia's strategic location and prosperous city of Riga, it became a focal point of constant war and conquest. When countries took over Latvia, they took over the castle too. Cesis Castle had to sustain troops of Russian, Polish, and Swedish soldiers for centuries. The first attack on the castle during the Livonian War (1557). The castle suffered significant damage when it was partially destroyed by its defenders so it did not fall into the hands of Ivan IV (also known as Ivan the Terrible) of Russia. The castle was eventually rebuilt to its original form. You're probably asking why the castle is in ruins today if it was restored. Well, in the Great Northern War (1700-1721), the castle was once again mostly destroyed and never rebuilt again. Though the castle looks beautiful perched on top of its hill in the heart of the city of Cesis, the people who built it should have learned by now that the design is not the best for defense and they should have tried something different when rebuilding it. Paldies par apmeklējot! |