The museum building was constructed as a residential manor for the von Sievers family, who resided there until 1920.
The Lademaher tower features a neo-Gothic interior that was restored to represent its 19th-century state.
The site contains a rare 17th-century sundial within the adjacent park area.
The museum collection includes the oldest flag representing the Cēsis regiment, linked to the Latvian independence movement.
Parts of the museum are built directly onto the foundation stones of the 13th-century medieval castle walls.
The museum organizes the 'Cēsis Castle Festival' to commemorate regional history.
The Cēsis History and Art Museum is housed within the New Castle, a 19th-century manor built upon the ruins of the medieval Cēsis Castle fortification. The museum chronicles the history of the Cēsis region, focusing on the Livonian period, the impact of the Latvian War of Independence, and regional ethnography. Its interior preserves authentic 19th-century residential features, including period furniture and neo-Gothic decor. The museum serves as the primary administrative site for the broader Cēsis Castle complex. It regularly hosts contemporary art exhibitions alongside its permanent historical displays. Visitors have access to the Lademaher tower, which offers panoramic views of the town and surrounding parklands. The collection includes significant artifacts from the 13th-century crusading era through the Soviet occupation.
From the balcony of the Lademaher tower looking down over the Castle Park and the medieval ruins.
Combine your visit with a guided tour of the adjacent medieval castle ruins to better understand the site's layout.
Ask at the front desk for the specific historical pamphlets that explain the von Sievers family lineage.
Wear comfortable, flat shoes as the museum floors transition between polished wood and uneven historic stone.
Don't limit your visit to the museum; skipping the surrounding castle park and the medieval ruins means missing the context of the museum's exhibits.
Closed on Mondays during the winter season.
Photography without flash is permitted; avoid touching historic textiles and furniture.
