Cēsis (town)

Region : Vidzeme
Municipality : Cēsis

Official blazon

Zilā laukā sarkans robots ķieģeļu mūris ar pieciem tornīšiem un atvērtiem vārtiem ar paceltu režģi, virs tā stāvošs karavīrs dabiskā krāsā, baltā tērpā ar paceltu zobenu un vairogu.

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted in 1925.

Cesis was the only large castle of the small Baltic tribe of the Vendi. In 1209 Germans built a castle Wenden on the Vendian castle. It became a residence of the Master of Teutonic Order, i.e. there was a capital of the Livonia state.

In 1323 the city and its arms are mentioned. The arms showed saint Catherine, a patron of the city. But already in 14^th century the city seal showed a city gate with a knight on it. The gate symbolized city rights, and the knight symbolized dependence to the Order.

The Northern war (1700-1721) destroyed the city almost completely. Old arms were forgotten and the new arms were established, based on the city seal. In 1785 city rights were granted again.

In 1925 the new design of the arms was confirmed.

In the 19th century the arms were shown slightly differently :