Cēsis Presentation see here.

Cēsis City coat of arms

Cēsis City coat of arms: a crenulated red brick wall set against a blue background with five towers and an open gate with a raised portcullis on top of which a warrior stands holding a raised sword and shield.

Cēsis City logo

The logo of Cēsis City is a stylised graphic image of Cēsis City identity – the Cēsis Castle Ruins: the composition is incorporated on three sides by a stylised contour line of the Western Tower of the Cēsis Castle ruins in a black tone; the inside of the contour contains a partially regular area of colour in the basic tone of the Cēsis City flag; the name Cēsis is located above the area of colour; the inscription “Anno 1206” is located under the colour area; the inside of the area of colour contains a stylised contour line of the Cēsis Castle walls in a white tone.

Cēsis City flag

The Cēsis City flag is made from rectangular cloth with a proportional width and height relationship of 2:1; the flag is two-sided; a white coloured cross on a background of the State flag with a slightly removed vertical line axis in the direction of the flag’s stanchion; the vertical and horizontal line of the cross on the left hand side of the edge of flag forms a cross; the width of the vertical and horizontal lines of the cross compared to the head of the flag is 1:5; the Cēsis City coat of arms is depicted in the centre of the cross; the height of the coat of arms is 6:10 of the height of the flag; the dimensions of the flag are: 1.0 x 2.0 m; the height of the coat of arms is: 40 cm; the dimensions of the table pennant are: 14 x 28 cm, the proportions conform to the proportions and description of the Cēsis City flag.

History:

1206 – The ancient residents of Cēsis are mentioned for the first time in the chronicles of Livonia’s Indriķis. They inhabited the Riekstu hill fort and belonged to a tribe known as the Vends whose name inspired the city’s Germanic name – Wenden. This year is widely considered to mark of the time of the founding of Cēsis City.

1207–1209 Construction of Cēsis stone castle commenced.

1237–1239 Hermann von Balk, the first Master of the Livonian Order chose Cēsis Castle as his residence. It is also mentioned as such later. During the Middle Ages, Cēsis found itself in the role of the capital city of Livonia. One of its most notable Masters was Wolter von Plettenberg.

1281–1284 Cēsis St. John’s Church built. It boasts the largest basilica in Latvia dating back to the Middle Ages outside Riga.

1323 – Cēsis acquires the rights of a city (records of Cēsis coat of arms date back to this year).

14th – 16th centuries Cēsis is one of the member cities of the Hanseatic Alliance of Northern German trading cities.

1577 – Cēsis City and castle are occupied and destroyed by the armed forces of Muscovite Tsar Ivan the Terrible.

1582 – Cēsis transfers into the ownership of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (the unified Polish and Lithuanian State). St. John’s Church becomes the Cathedral of the newly-established diocese of Livonia (Cēsis).

1627 – The City of Cēsis and the castle, together with the entire former territory of the Catholic diocese of Livonia (Cēsis), are presented by Swedish King Gustav Adolf II to his State Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna in the hand of whose family it will remain until 1680.

1747 – Russia’s Tsarina Elizabeth Petrovna presents Cēsis Castle and its estate to Chancellor A. Bestužev-Rjumin.

1748 – The last major fire in the city’s history razes it to the ground; it also destroys the archive of the City’s Council House.

1777 – Cēsis Castle is acquired by Major Karl Eberhardt Sievers who builds the new Cēsis Castle (1777–1778).

1884–1909 “Cēsis Ziņotājs” (“Wendenscher Anzeiger”) published – the first provincial periodical to be published in Latvia in several languages (1884–1909) – German, Russian and Latvian.

1889 – Riga-Valka railway line built alongside Cēsis.

1897 – First telephone line built in Cēsis. A telephone exchange established in the city.

1918 – The Republic of Latvia proclaimed on November 18 in Riga.

1919 – In June, battles take place in the vicinity of Cēsis between the Baltic-German Landeswehr on the one side and combined Estonian-Latvian forces on the others side including a company of Cēsis Students. The Germans are defeated and the opportunity arises for the establishment of the Latvian and Estonian Free States.

1920–1940 – Cēsis – a district city in the Republic of Latvia and a tourism and winter leisure centre.

1940 – On June 17 Cēsis is occupied by the Red Army.

1941 – During the night of June 13/14 – the first mass deportation of Latvian residents to Siberia.

1988 – On October 22, the Latvian State flag is raised once at Cēsis New Castle Tower for the first time during the Russian-Soviet occupation of Latvia.

1991 – On August 21, the Republic of Latvia regains its independence.

1991 Establishment 27th Battalion of the Home Guard and 2nd Infantry Brigade of the Home Guard.

1992 Russian armed forces withdrawn.

1998 Victory Monument renewed.

2000 National Armed Forces’ Instructors’ School established.

2005 A modern refuse dump is opened in Daibe in Cēsis District.

Conclusion of a co-operation agreement with the City of Rakvere (Estonia).

2006 Cēsis 800th anniversary celebrations held.

                 A new city primary school built in Cēsis.

2007 Construction of a new pre-school education institution commenced.

        The first “Cēsis Art Festival 2007” is held.

         Launch of a Social and Culture Centre “Fonoklubs” for young people.

         Latvia’s first “Child’s Rights Path” is opened in Cēsis.

          The organ in Cēsis St. John’s Church is restored.

           The first council residential apartment building with social apartments is built in Cēsis

                    A new tradition is initiated – ancient petrol lanterns are lit in the city.

                    Reconstruction of the Roses Square reveals a fragment of a unique ancient wooden structure that dates back to the 13th century and which is currently the oldest known wooden building in Cēsis.

2008/2009 Cēsis strives for the title of “European Capital of Culture 2014”.

2009 New kindergarten is built.

Due to the administration reform Vaive parish is added to Cēsis.  01.07.2009. the Cēsis municipality is established.

Information about Cēsis municipality

Location

Located in Vidzeme planning region
Between 2 main highroads Rīga – Pskov (Russia) and Rīga – Valka (Estonia) – St.Petersburg (Russia)
Railroad Riga – Valga (Estonia)
Priekuļi small airplane landing field
Distances: Cēsis – Rīga 87 km, Cēsis – Russia border 193 km

Territorial division – 171.73 sq. m.

Cēsis town – 19.28 sq. m.

Vaive parish – 152.45 sq. m

Cēsis town:

Agriculture 1.53
Forestry 2.02
Water management 0.25
Single family and twin-family residential housing structures 5.22
Multi-apartment building structures 1.40
Trading institutional and commercial-type structures 0.62
Publicly significant sites 4.68
Industrial sites 1.60
Traffic infrastructure sites 1.79
Engineering-technical supply networks and sites 0.19

 

Cēsis town has:

• 5 parks of which three are State protected as historic cultural monuments ~ 25m² natural foundation per single inhabitant

• 2,4 km² Cēsis Old Town

• 1,8 km² Gauja National Park Protected Zone

• Locally significant specially protected nature reserve “Cēsis Nature and Historic Culture Park” with an area of 767 ha

• 123,013 km total city street length

• 10 reservoirs

• 32 nationally significant cultural monuments

• 114 locally significant cultural and historic monuments

• 25 State protected cultural monuments, of which:

  • urban construction – 1 (historic centre of Cēsis City)

  • archaeological – 5

  • historic – 3

  • architectural – 9

  • artistic – 7

Cēsis lives
 

Inhabitants in the municipality 01.01.2010. – 19 861

Cēsis town – 18 234 (91%)

Vaive parish – 1 627 (9%)

116 residents on 1 km²

Dynamics in the municipality

Demographical situation in Cēsis town 2004 - 2009

Division according to age:

	In municipality	In Cēsis town	In Vaive parish
Total	19 861	18 234	1 627
Pre-working age	2 691	2 454	237
Working age	13 077	11 975	1 102
Post working age	4 093	3 779	314

  

Children:

Age	In municipality	In Cēsis town	In Vaive parish
Total	3 513	3 193	320
Children – up to 6 years of age	11 46	1 056	90
Children aged 7-18 years	2 367	2 137	230

Citizenship:

Latvian citizens – 18 603

Non-Latvian citizens – 1130

Others – 128

Nationalities:

Latvians	16 893
Russians	2 050
Belarusians	231
Others	687

(According to data supplied by the Residents’ Register Department)

Employment:
 

Unemployment level % in Cēsis in 2010.01.01.

12,4 %

(according to data supplied by the State Employment Agency)

Cēsis municipality administration

Council deputies – 15 (elected in July 2009)

Elected term – 4 years

Cēsis local government budget in 2010 - 10.56 mil. lats
 

Cēsis studies (2009/2010)
 

Education institutions	Number
Pre-school education institutions	5
Primary schools	6
Secondary schools	2
State high schools (gymnasiums)	2
Professional education institutions	2
Special interests’ education study institutions	2
Higher education study institutions	5 branches and teaching points
Military study institution	1

Including, specialized study institutions:

Specialized pre-school education institution for children with sight and speech problems,

Primary School for children with breathing problems.

Correction classes have been established in two secondary schools.

Sports:

Most popular sports:

Basketball, volleyball, floorball, biathlon, cross-country skiing, orienteering.

Most successful teams:

• Highest national leagues: “Cēsis/Lekrings” floorball/team; “Cēsis” woman’s basketball team.

• Schenker Baltic Volleyball League: “Cēsis/Cēsis alus” volleyball team.

Traditional sports events:

Running events: “Cēsis Spring”, “Around Cēsis”, “Jānis” and “Jānītis”; cycling marathon; summer biathlon; roller-skating; “Meridiāns” orienteering competition and the “Cēsis Cup” youth international basketball competition.

(According to data supplied by Cēsis City Sports School)

Cēsis gets fun

Local government cultural institutions:

• Local Government Agency “Cēsis Cultur and Tourism Centre” (www.vvtc.cesis.lv; e-mail: info@cesis.lv; tel. 64122615)

  • Cēsis History and Art Museum (tel. 28397953)

  • Exhibition Hall (64123557)

• Cēsis Central Library: (www.biblioteka.cesis.lv; e-mail: www.biblioteka@dome.cesis.lv; tel. 64123644)

Cēsis Culture Centre is home to:

• Vidzeme Chamber Orchestra

• 13 amateur art groups

Cēsis Central Library

http://www.biblioteka.cesis.lv/

  * The Cēsis Central and Children’s Library offers free computer and Internet access, as well as wireless Internet access. 

  * The Central Library houses a collection of all of the material published about Cēsis, the district and the residents of the district.

  * The Central Library offers free online access to the: LURSOFT, NAIS, EBSCO (English language) LETA and LETONNIKA databases

(According to data supplied by Cēsis Central Library)

Cēsis welcomes

Information about tourism:

Cēsis Tourism Information Centre

Pils laukums 1, Cēsis, LV 4100

Tel. 64121815

E-mail: info@cesis.lv

Skype: cesu_tic
 

Local Government Agency “Cēsis Cultur and Tourism Centre” (established in 2010)

Baznīcas laukums 1, Cēsis, LV 4100

Tel. 64127755

Vidzeme Tourism Association

Tel.64122011

Interesting places to visit in Cēsis

• Cēsis Middle Ages Castle. Construction of the Castle dates back to the start of the 13th century and now constitutes the best preserved ensemble of ruins in Latvia.

• Cēsis Old Town. Visits are recommended to buildings of historic and outstanding architectonic significance.

• St. John’s Church. One of the most ancient stone buildings in Vidzeme, built at the end of the 13th century. The church is home to an organ whose restoration was completed at the end of 2007 and which is ranked are among the best concert organs in Latvia.

• “A reception given by the Master of the Livonian Order, Wolter von Plettenberg”. A theatrical programme in Cēsis Middle Ages Castle with tests of agility and a feast and reception given by the Master.

• Ancient lantern lighting ceremony. A new tradition in the Old Town of Cēsis during which a citizen wearing an ancient costume lights three ancient lanterns at dusk every evening during the summer season.

• Corydalis nature walks.

(According to data supplied by the Vidzeme History and Tourism Centre)

More http://tourism.cesis.lv/eng
 

Public organisations registered in Cēsis

• Cēsis Residents’ Club

  • "Aizstāvis", Cēsis Consumer Rights Protection Society

  • "B & B Copes", Angling Sports Club

  • Cēsis Soldiers’ Club

  • Cēsis Pensioners, Cēsis City pensioners’ association

  • Cēsis Castle Guild Fund

  • Cēsis District Invalids’ Society

  • Cēsis District Entrepreneurs’ Club

  • "Culturelab", society

  • Latvia’s Daugavas Vanagi, Cēsis branch

  • Friendly Invitation Study Centre

  • "Dzīvības straume", society

  • Save the Children, society, Cēsis branch

  • "Harmonija", cultural society

  • "Jaunais laiks", party, Cēsis branch

  • Latvian Vehicle Transport Brotherhood, Vidzeme regional branch

  • Latvian Children’s Fund, Cēsis Representative Office

  • Latvian Education and Science Workers’ Trade Union, Cēsis District Council

  • Latvian Bone, Joint and Tissue Patients’ Society, Cēsis branch

  • Latvian National Soldiers’ Society, Cēsis branch

  • Latvian Society for the Blind, Cēsis Territorial Organisation Board

  • Latvian Association for the Politically Repressed, Cēsis society

  • Latvian Red Cross, Cēsis committee

  • Latvian Red Cross, Cēsis committee, Dzērbene branch

  • "Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party", Cēsis District Territorial Organisation

  • "Prieks", Women’s Resources Centre

  • “Fonoklubs”, Output Society

  • Cēsis Children’s and Youth Centre “Wings” www.cbjc.lv

  • Etc.

(According to data supplied by Cēsis City Council’s Development Planning Department)

Contact information 

Important telephone numbers:

• Cēsis Municipality Service Centre: +371 64161800

• Information Service: 1188

• Cēsis District Police Department: 64101222; 112

• Cēsis City Municipal Police: 64122735

• State Fire and Rescue Service, Cēsis branch 64107702; 113

• Emergency Medical Assistance: 64122619; 112

• Bus Traffic: 64122121

• Railway Station: 64122726; Ticket desk: 64186445

More www.cesis.lv