Battle of Cesis Memorial

Cesis has an important place in Latvian national memory as the site of the decisive battle that secured independence in 1919. The town has a small memorial and information panels marking the event. The battle was fought just outside the town between Estonian forces — who had crossed the border to help their neighbours — and the German Baltic Landeswehr militia.

For anyone interested in Baltic history, the Cesis area provides a vivid illustration of the complex, violent period between German and Soviet occupation that produced the three Baltic republics. The local history museum in the castle's manor house covers this period thoroughly.

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The Battle of Cesis in June 1919 was fought between Estonian forces — supported by Finnish volunteers — and the German Baltic Landeswehr, a militia of Baltic Germans attempting to retain power in Latvia. The Estonian-Latvian victory effectively secured Latvia's independence; the date of the battle, 23 June, became a Latvian national holiday. The presence of Finnish volunteers in the battle is remembered in both Estonian and Finnish national memory.

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