Cēsis - Pils

Cēsis (German: Wenden) is known since the 11th century, when the Livonian Brothers of the Sword built a castle here, that later served as the residence for the Order's Master.

In 1577, during the Livonian War, the garrison destroyed the castle to prevent it from falling into the control of Ivan the Terrible, who was defeated in the Battle of Wenden in 1578. In 1620 Wenden was conquered by Sweden. It was rebuilt but destroyed again in 1703 during the Great Northern War by the Russian army.

The castle is located in the centre of the city. In the middle Ages it was one of the most important footholds for the Teutonic Order in the Baltics, but nowadays it is an impressive and well-preserved castle ruin, hosting a museum.