Exposition guide of Cesis (Latvia) History and Art museum

Cesis History and Art museum

SYMBOL OF LATVIAN HISTORY

EXPOSITION GUIDE

Household buildings of Cesis New Castle and the castle manor from the front courtyard. Lithographed by K. Dikhof c. 1856 according to the drawing of the owner of Cesis castle manor Count Emanuel von Sievers.

Plan of the exposition rooms On the ground floor 1., 2. Cesis New Castle and the Castle manor

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3., 4. Ancient Cesis inhabitants Wends in the

region of the Latgalians and Livs from

the 10th–13th century 5.

(Basement floor of Lademaher tower)

6.

Cesis Castle of Teutonic Order from the 13th–16th century

Lobby

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Entrance of the museum

Lift

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Wenden 1577. Developments of Livonian War in Cesis Castle

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2

Winding stairs to the 1st floor

Big stairs to the 1st floor

WC

Cashdesk

Castle cafe

Souvenir shop

Entrance

On the 1st floor 7.

Cesis city from the 13th–16th century (1st floor in Lademaher tower) 8.

Red-white-red flag in the history of Cesis and Latvia

9., 10. Cesis and Latvia in the battle for freedom 11.

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Cesis – administrative, political and economic centre from the 16th–19th century

12., 13. Contribution of Cesis city and the region to

the creation and development of latvian

education, culture and national identity

from the 18th–19th century

Winding stairs to the 2nd floor

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Study of Counts Sievers The first half of the 19th century

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15.

Coffee room-lounge The first half of the 19th century

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11

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Veranda.

Lounge for visitors

Lift 8

Big stairs to the 2nd floor

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On the 2nd floor

Conference hall, workshop room-museum classroom, room for activities for families with children On the attic floor Exhibition hall In Lademaher tower 16.

Library of the Castle. Mid-19th century (2nd floor)

Viewing platform with panorama of the city

17.

Library of the Castle. The end of the 19th century (3nd floor)

Lift is available and the visit of the museum is accessible to people with special needs.

Cesis New Castle is one of the most architecturally original 18

th

century dwellings belonging to the masters of the manors in Vidzeme. It was built c. 1761 within the fortification system of the medieval castle – in the place of a tower and a defensive building of the gate. The tower, which now is one of the most recognisable symbols of the city and a favourite viewing point, was already in the 17th century named Lademaher tower.

In 1777 the New Castle and the castle manor were bought by Count Karl Eberhard von Sievers (Sievers, 1745–1821). The Sievers family managed the castle manor for 143 years over five generations until the Latvian agrarian reform in 1920. During this period the household of the manor was developed and the complex of the historical centre, the most romantic part of Cesis city, which you can be seen now, was created.

After the restoration of the New Castle in the period from 2007 to 2012 the former residence of the Counts of the Sievers family regained its historical appearance and a history and interior exposition “Cesis – symbol of Latvian history” was held in this building.

Historical exposition

represents the city of Cesis in the context of Latvian and European culture.

The exposition is set in the rooms on the ground floor of the New Castle, which in the time of the castle manor were used for household purposes, and on the first floor rooms next to the exposition you can also see the renewed and restored interior of the residential rooms from the time of the castle manor.

Interior exposition

tells the history of the Counts of the Sievers family – the owners of the New Castle and the castle manor and represents the culture of interiors from the 18th–19th century as a significant part of the heritage of Baltic Germans.

The exposition is set in four rooms – in two rooms on the first floor and on the second and third floor of Lademaher tower.

CESIS NEW CASTLE AND THE CASTLE MANOR

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Uncovered medieval stone walls and archaeological findings in the foundation of the New Castle testify to the more than five hundred year old history of the building. Five minute long film Cesis – Wenden and an interactive programme about the buildings of the castle manor through history and nowadays show how the construction of the castle and the castle manor was undertaken.

ANCIENT CESIS INHABITANTS WENDS 3 4 IN THE REGION OF THE LATGALIANS AND LIVS FROM THE 10TH–13TH CENTURY

The most ancient known inhabitants of Cesis – Wends are mentioned in Livonian chronicles of Indrikis in 1206.

The name of the castle and the most ancient name of the city Wenden come from the name of the Wends.

The objects found in the residential place

of the Wends – Riekstu Hill are displayed

for the first time.

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3

2

1

Ground floor

WENDEN 1577 5 Developments of Livonian War in Cesis Castle (Basement floor of Lademaher tower)

Medieval chronicles and unique archaeological findings provide an opportunity to get to know one of the most dramatic pages of Latvian history- the events during the siege of Cesis Castle in 1577 during Livonian War.

Sculptural reconstruction of the face of a witness of the siege in 1577 can be seen in the exposition.

CESIS CASTLE OF TEUTONIC ORDER FROM THE 13TH–16TH CENTURY

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The artefacts found during the archaeological excavations in Cesis Castle, which is the most magnificent medieval Livonian stronghold, reveal the course of life of the brothers of Teutonic Order 500 years ago.

Imitation of the medieval armour produced by the best armour makers in the Baltics.

Ground floor

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CESIS CITY FROM THE 13TH–16TH CENTURY (1st floor in Lademaher tower)

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Medieval Cesis is not lost even now – it has been preserved in the planning of the city, in the coat of arms, in the cultural layer full of findings that are hidden under the streets and the buildings of the city, as well as in every inhabitant of Cesis, who is proud of the ancient history of the city. More than 30 Cesis inhabitants participated in the creation of the exposition, symbolising the active and diverse life of the inhabitants of the medieval city.

RED-WHITE-RED FLAG IN THE HISTORY OF CESIS AND LATVIA

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The treasure of the museum – the first known red white red national flag, which was embroidered in 1916 according to the conception of a teacher and a literate Janis Lapins.

In the exposition dedicated to the history of Latvian flag, the road to the creation of the flag from the 13th century, when the red white red flag of Cesis was mentioned in the Rhymed chronicle to the 20th century when the national symbol was approved is reflected on.

1st floor

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CESIS AND LATVIA IN THE BATTLE FOR FREEDOM

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Cesis had a special role in the creation of the Latvian state and its armed forces. The famous Cesis battles of 1919 took place here, and in December 1918 one of the first units of the Latvian armed forces, Cesis company, was created in Cesis New Castle. In Autumn 1919 for a short period of time Cesis was the interim capital of Latvia.

Sword with a red-white-red ribbon of the officer of the 8th Daugavpils infantry regiment of the Latvian army Arvids Zalitis. 1930s.

INTERIOR – SMALL LOUNGE, GUEST BEDROOM

The only room of the New Castle where the historical ceiling painting has been preserved, end of the 19th century.

Restoration and reconstruction.

1st floor

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Decoration of the interior with frame or panel-like decorative painting, beginning of the 20th century. Reconstruction.

CESIS – ADMINISTRATIVE, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CENTRE FROM THE 16TH–19TH CENTURY

During the existence of Livonian order from the 13th to 16th century, decisions made in Cesis, the residence of the master of the order, influenced the historical course of events in Livonia and abroad.

Also the mint of the country of the Livonian order was situated here.

During the rule of Poles (1583 –1625) Cesis as the residence of Catholic bishopric became the centre of the counter-reformation in Vidzeme.

In the 17th century under the rule of Sweden local crafts and trade were developed in Cesis. The city belonged to Swedish state counsellor Count Aksel Uksenshern.

During the time of the Russian Empire in the end of the 18th century and in the 19th century craft and trade in Cesis were prosperous, and in the beginning of the 20th century active entrepreneurial activity took place here.

Privilege given by the Russian empress Catherine II in 1766 renewed all previous rights of Cesis city.

INTERIOR – BIG LOUNGE

Unique paintings on walls with symmetrical red rose garlands have been restored. Year 1801.

1st floor

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CONTRIBUTION OF CESIS CITY AND 12 THE REGION TO THE CREATION AND 13 DEVELOPMENT OF LATVIAN EDUCATION, CULTURE AND NATIONAL IDENTITY FROM THE 18TH–19TH CENTURY Due to the dissemination of the ideas of the Moravian Church, Estonia and Vidzeme in Latvia during the 18th century were the most educated territories of the Russian Empire.

Activities of the congregation are considered the beginning of Latvian national awakening.

Cesis region has produced a lot of extraordinary personalities, and founders of Latvian national culture.

INTERIOR – STUDY,

BEDROOM OF THE OWNERS OF THE CASTLE

Compositions of decorative painting in typical Classicism style with frieze paintings on the top parts of walls, 18th/19th century.

Reconstruction.

1st floor

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STUDY OF COUNTS SIEVERS The first half of the 19th century

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Example of an elegant Biedermeier style interior decoration in Latvia, 1830s.

Reconstruction.

Portraits, coats of arms of the family and documents of the owners of the New Castle Counts Sievers are displayed in the study.

COFFEE ROOM-LOUNGE The first half of the 19th century

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Outstanding example of Biedermeier style interior culture in Latvia with unique tent-like decoration of walls and the ceiling, 1830s.

Art works from the beginning of the 19th century of Cesis castle manor and its vicinities are displayed in the coffee room.

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1st floor

LIBRARY OF THE CASTLE. Mid-19th century (On the 2nd floor of Lademaher tower)

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The only preserved furniture of the New Castle – Neo-Gothic oak bookcases of the mid-19th century and chandelier of the end of the 19th century.

Drawings with the views of the New Castle and the castle manor in the mid-19th century made by the owner of the castle Count Emanuel von Sievers are displayed in the library.

LIBRARY AT THE TOP OF THE CASTLE The end of the 19th century

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(On the 3rd floor of Lademaher tower)

Oak bookcase in the interior were made according to the drawings of the end of the 19th century.

In the gallery of the tower and in the staircase drawings and engravings with romanticised views of the medieval castle made by Baltic German artists of the 19th century are displayed.

Lademaher tower

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Le nč u

Cesis New Castle

To rņa

Cesis medieval castle

iela

Castle park

St. John’s church

L.Katrīna s iela

Rožu laukums

Pi ls

Maija parks

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Vienības laukums

iel a

ga Rī

s

a iel

iela ļņu Va

Cesis History and Art museum in the New Castle Pils Square 9, Cesis, LV-4100 e-mail: cesis@cesis.lv www.muzejs.cesis.lv

Visitor centre Tourism information centre Pils Square 9, Cesis, LV-4100 e-mail: info@cesis.lv Telephone: +37164121815 www.tourism.cesis.lv