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Cesis
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National Park Gauja
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Cesis
19. may 2004
The oldest city in Latvia,very often called as the "Pearl" of Vidzeme
Cesis is the oldest city in Latvia, very often called as the ?Pearl? of Vidzeme. This city that was founded in the year 1206, next to the river, is like an Open Air museum. The museum- like character results from the ruins of the Livonian Order from the13th century and the St. John?s Church. The ruins of the castle are surrounded by a park, where on summer weekends numerous events take place.
The town of Cesis is located in the northern part of Vidzeme Central upland, on the river Gauja, on high hillocks with terraces, overlooking the blue woods of the Gauja ancient river valley.The most ancient settlement in the centre of Cesis is the hill-fort - Riekstu hill -with a fortified wooden castle of Vends. The 18 m high mound with its partly preserved fortification system can still be seen in the Castle Park. This settlement was located near the major trade routes from the West to the East, therefore it is not by accident that it was chosen as the basis for further conquests to other countries by the German Crusaders. The construction of the Stone castle began on the hillock opposite the Vend hill-fort in the 13th century.
Cesis District is situated in the highlands of Vidzeme, one of the most beautiful parts of Latvia. Cesis District is home to the Gauja National Park. Thanks to the advantageous location of the Cesis region, one can see there plenty of famous natural objects. The longest river Gauja originates in the territory of Cesis District. Impressive cliffs and rocks can be seen along the river?s shores. One of the fastest rivers of Latvia - the Amata, flows through the Cesis region and magnificently beautiful is the ancient river valley. The Zvartas cliff and the Ainavu cliff are the most picturesque natural objects on the shores of the Amata river.
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