There was still time to walk through Cesis, one of the oldest towns in Latvia that owes its name to Cesis Medieval Castle. Cecis is a 13th century town with wide open cobbled streets. Riga Street led into the town center from the Castle Complex and this street has been part of Cesis since the town was built. You’ll next pass St. John’s Church…View image, sanctified in 1284 and May Park. May Park was still very green with fountains…View image, a children’s playground and whimsical sculptures.

This was followed by the Cesis Victory Monument built to commemorate Latvian and Estonian soldiers who died in the Latvian War of Liberation. Riga Street and the small streets radiating off had quite a few cafes and shops selling deli goods. One had the added attraction of being nice and warm inside. There is also a Cesis Exhibition Hall in the former stables and coachhouse, a sculpture that it is believed will give you the ability to see into the future if you rub the Old Man’s Lantern, Rose Square that is still used as a market twice a month and the Cecis Brewery.

Cesis, Latvia turtle 

Cesis, Latvia spider or grasshopper…or cute bug
The picturesque old Cesis/Cecis brewery from 1878 was one of the most interesting parts of Cesis. It is the oldest brewery in Northern Europe and believed to have been founded in 1590. We could only admire it from the outside. Latvia is also known for a liquor called “Black Balsam” composed of plants, flowers, buds, juices, roots, oils and berries, a total of 25 ingredients. It is 90 proof, and combined with coffee and other liquids in a drink is supposed to be very strong. (I should say so with 90 proof!)

Cesis/Cecis Brewery, Latvia
Still walking…walking…walking to look and admire some of the old wooden houses. Quite a few occupied…View image… while others stood derelict and abandoned…View image.

Sheila and old Cesis, Latvia house lean in opposite directions
From there, a 10-minute drive across the Gauja River valley to Silgulda to see the change of the autumn leaves and Sigulda Castle before heading to Turaida Castle. Castle, castle, castle. It was a wonder any of us could remember where we were and where we were going straight. There is a one-way tram…View image…that you can pay to ride across the valley and some in our group did that after Turaida.

Gauja River, Latvia 

Old Sigulda Castle ruins, Latvia
The Sigulda ruins…View image… were built in the 18th and 19th century during the reign of several German noblemen. Behind the New Castle is the old castle ruins built in 1207 by the Order of the Brethren of the Sword. What a dramatic name…the Order of the Brethren of the Sword…I love it. Views of valley with changing leaves, ruins, photos…and in the bus for the short ride to Turaida Castle…