Photos: August Mathias Hagen (Augusts Matiass Hāgens) (1794-1878), Wikimedia Commons, Public domain Petar Milošević, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Laima Gūtmane (simka…, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo credits
Photos: August Mathias Hagen (Augusts Matiass Hāgens) (1794-1878), Wikimedia Commons, Public domain Petar Milošević, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Laima Gūtmane (simka…, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cēsis castle ruins by candlelight
Your local guide
Ilze Bērziņa
View profile
Highlights
- A medieval tower climbed after dark
- The great hall, explained from its foundations
- Candlelit courtyard, on camera
- Livonian Order history, told on site
- One of the Baltics' best kept ruins
About this tour
This session climbs through the western tower of Cēsis castle after dark, pauses at the foundations of the great hall and finishes in the lantern-lit courtyard. You see how thick the medieval stonework stays near the top of the tower, then hear how the hall looked before fire took its roof. The candles in the courtyard are the same ones the castle uses for its own night visits.
I start with a sound check at the gate, then move stop by stop with the phone held steady on the stonework so nothing blurs in the low light. Questions come as we go rather than only at the end, since the tower has a few tight corners where I stop anyway. A short note on the castle's history follows by message afterwards.
It suits anyone drawn to medieval architecture or ruins photographed in unusual light. It also works well for viewers who cannot visit at night themselves.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 6 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Cesis before heading out.
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Western tower 17 min
The camera climbs the narrow stair inside the western tower, and I point out how thick the medieval walls stay even four storeys up.
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Great hall foundations 17 min
You see the outline of the great hall where the Livonian Order once held court, and I explain what the roof would have looked like before a 19th-century fire.
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Castle courtyard by candle 17 min
Lit lanterns line the courtyard after dark, and I describe how the same light would have marked the castle gate centuries ago.
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Your questions 11 min
Time to ask anything about Cesis: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 5 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Cēsis beer and Riverside, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Riga time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 8 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Cesis, showing you Western tower and Great hall foundations live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk the castle grounds live with my phone.
Times shown in Riga time (EET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Wed 28 Oct · 8 seats left From 27,00 €
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