Europe Explored » hanseatic league https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Cēsis – the most beautiful town in Latvia https://europeexplored.com/2011/03/26/cesis-the-most-beautiful-town-in-latvia/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/03/26/cesis-the-most-beautiful-town-in-latvia/#comments Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:04:23 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=2907 Cēsis with almost 20.000 inhabitants, lying at the northern part of Latvia on the Gauja river, is considered the most beautiful and the most Latvian city in the country. Cēsis boasts a rich history, many monuments and numerous cultural institutions. It became a popular destination for tourists from all over Europe. The history of Cēsis […]

The post Cēsis – the most beautiful town in Latvia appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
Cēsis with almost 20.000 inhabitants, lying at the northern part of Latvia on the Gauja river, is considered the most beautiful and the most Latvian city in the country. Cēsis boasts a rich history, many monuments and numerous cultural institutions. It became a popular destination for tourists from all over Europe.

The history of Cēsis town dates back to 1205, when the castle and many other smaller fortified buildings were built here by German crusaders known as the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. The first settlement began to emerge here around the castle and soon Cēsis became the capital of Order’s Master. At that time the city belonged to the Hanseatic League and even had the right to mint coins. Cēsis is also likely birthplace of the Latvian flag. The history of the red-white-red flag is not clear, and Latvian flag is one of the oldest flags in the world.

Cēsis, Latvia
Cēsis, Latvia by Beercha

During the 16th and 17th century, almost the entire town was destroyed by wars, fires and the damage was completed by the Russian occupation. Although the city was destroyed several times, it was still reconstructed.

Cēsis has also become the place of one of the most important battles of the Estonian and Latvian War of Independence. Although Latvia’s independence was proclaimed in 1918, but the Soviet Union did not agree. Latvians had to fight for their freedom, so together with Estonia they created common army with 8000 soldiers and fight in Cēsis against Baltic Land Defence with 6000 soldiers. The battle lasted as long as five days, but finally Estonians and Latvians won important battle of independence.

Currently the city benefits from the development of tourism and not only Latvians, but also foreign guests. It boasts several historical monuments, the most important is undoubtedly an Old Castle built in the 1209. It was built of bricks and its dominant features are two large towers at the west end. The West Tower was the mightiest with the walls of 5.25 meters strong, in which there were the offices and rooms of the castle lords. The South Tower was the highest one with five floors and 32.5 meters height. The core of the castle is formed by the central courtyard, which was previously surrounded by residential buildings. In the vicinity of the castle now stands few half-timbered houses.

 Cēsis castle, Latvia
Cēsis castle, Latvia by Brunswyk

In 1960 the castle underwent extensive reconstruction, during which there were found three skeletons of women and two children and about 6500 other items. The castle is situated in a spacious Pils park by the river Gauja, and is partially open to the public. Castle park covers an area of ​​65 hectares and is decorated with beautiful, even though dilapidated statues. The park also includes the singing fountain, lake, Russian Orthodox church and a stage for various cultural events. On the opposite side of the park there is situated local brewery Cēsu Alus, in which beer is brewed since 1590. It is the oldest brewery in Northern Europe.

Near the Old Castle is now a “New Castle” from 18th century, which has a typical salmon-pink color. It houses Latvian History Museum.

Another interesting sight is the Gothic church of St. John, from the late 13th century. Originally it had a Gothic look, but it gradually changed over the centuries. Its three-aisle basilica is 65 meters long, 32 meters wide and 65 meters high. The church houses the organ from 1907, that is equipped with 2000 whistles.

In the centre of Cēsis you will find Vienibas laukums square with lots of beautiful buildings and excavations as well.

The post Cēsis – the most beautiful town in Latvia appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
https://europeexplored.com/2011/03/26/cesis-the-most-beautiful-town-in-latvia/feed/ 0
Toruń – Gothic architecture at its best, and the birthplace of Copernicus | Poland https://europeexplored.com/2010/09/14/torun-gothic-architecture-at-its-best-and-the-birthplace-of-copernicus-poland/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/09/14/torun-gothic-architecture-at-its-best-and-the-birthplace-of-copernicus-poland/#comments Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:10:59 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=1508 Toruń, and its medieval old town, is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities of Poland. It is located in northern Poland on the banks of the Vistula River. The gothic buildings of Toruń’s Old Town present proof of Toruń’s centuries-old economic, cultural and intellectual ties with the leading cities of Europe associated in […]

The post Toruń – Gothic architecture at its best, and the birthplace of Copernicus | Poland appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
Toruń, and its medieval old town, is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities of Poland. It is located in northern Poland on the banks of the Vistula River. The gothic buildings of Toruń’s Old Town present proof of Toruń’s centuries-old economic, cultural and intellectual ties with the leading cities of Europe associated in the Hanseatic League.

Toruń‘s Old Town was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a World Heritage Site in 1997 and 10 years later it was added to the list of Seven Wonders of Poland.

For your visit to Toruń, you should reserve at least 2 days. The city is a charming especially after sunset, when the souvenir sellers and most tourists disappear from the streets. Best time to visit Toruń is from May to September. During the summer, there are lots of music, theater, gingerbread and other festivals in Toruń.


View Toruń – Gothic architecture at its best, and the birthplace of Copernicus Poland in a larger map

The post Toruń – Gothic architecture at its best, and the birthplace of Copernicus | Poland appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
https://europeexplored.com/2010/09/14/torun-gothic-architecture-at-its-best-and-the-birthplace-of-copernicus-poland/feed/ 2
Gdańsk – A port with great historical significance | Poland https://europeexplored.com/2010/09/09/gdansk-a-port-with-great-historical-significance-poland/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/09/09/gdansk-a-port-with-great-historical-significance-poland/#comments Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:09:18 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=1506 Gdańsk is the capital of Poland’s “Pomorze” province and Poland’s principal seaport. It is located on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay on the Baltic Sea. The main industry in the city is around shipbuilding and shipping and the city is also an important industrial centre of Poland. The city was the birthplace of the […]

The post Gdańsk – A port with great historical significance | Poland appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
Gdańsk is the capital of Poland’s “Pomorze” province and Poland’s principal seaport. It is located on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay on the Baltic Sea. The main industry in the city is around shipbuilding and shipping and the city is also an important industrial centre of Poland.

The city was the birthplace of the Solidarity movement which, under the leadership of political activist Lech Wałęsa, played a major role in bringing an end to Communist rule across Central Europe.

What to see in Gdańsk
Most tourist attractions are located along or near Ulica Długa (Long Street) and Długi Targ (Long Market) and the part is sometimes referred to as the Royal Road as the former path of processions for visiting kings. There one can see:

  • Upland Gate (Brama Wyżynna)
  • Torture House (Katownia)
  • Prison Tower (Wieża więzienna)
  • Golden Gate (Złota Brama)
  • Long Street (Ulica Długa)
  • Uphagen House (Dom Uphagena)
  • Main Town Hall (Ratusz Głównego Miasta)
  • Long Market (Długi Targ)
  • Artus’ Court (Dwór Artusa)
  • Neptune Fountain (Fontanna Neptuna)
  • Golden House (Złota kamienica)
  • Green Gate (Zielona Brama)
  • Gdańsk has a number of historical churches:

  • St. Bridget
  • St. Catherine
  • St. John
  • St Mary (Bazylika Mariacka), a municipal church built during the 15th century, is the largest brick church in the world.
  • St Nicholas’ Church
  • Church of the Holy Trinity


View Gdańsk – A port with great historical significance Poland in a larger map

The post Gdańsk – A port with great historical significance | Poland appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
https://europeexplored.com/2010/09/09/gdansk-a-port-with-great-historical-significance-poland/feed/ 1