Go Back to the Middle Ages on a Walk Around Cēsis in Latvia, Cesis, Latvia (B)

Step inside a medieval castle and explore by lamplight before strolling along ancient cobbled streets.

A medieval castle was central to the development of the town of Cēsis in Vidzeme, a region of Latvia. Vital to its defence in the past this castle is now a focal point of the town that grew up around it. This pretty town has two distinct areas, the castle complex and the old town that surrounds its majestic church of St John. The approach to Cēsis Medieval Castle is through a large courtyard that features several important buildings, the New Castle, Cēsis Exhibition Hall and the Nordic Museum of Natural Medicine.

The unusual Nordic Museum of Natural Medicine was designed as a reminder of the natural wonders of the world by viewing them from a medical perspective, in other words, the healing properties of plants. Books, seeds, essential oils and teas are available to buy in the museum shop. On the other side of the courtyard is the Cēsis Exhibition Hall.

The architecture of the Cēsis Exhibition Hall makes this building unique. Inside, the woodwork rooms are ideal as a setting for exhibitions and the acoustics are good for musical events. This Exhibition Hall occupies the old stables and cart-house of Cēsis Manor. When the building became superfluous during the early 1920s it was used to house an infantry regiment. After that it was used as a warehouse and garages. In 1985 it was rebuilt to house the Exhibition Hall. Just beyond, at the far end of the courtyard the New Castle stands proud. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).