St. John’s Church

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Description

St. John’s Church is the second most notable architectural feature in Cesis (second only to the medieval castle) and one of the oldest medieval monuments in Latvia, as well as being one of the oldest cult buildings in the country. The church was built at the beginning of the 13th century as Christianity advanced into the Baltic, to serve the needs of the Livonian Order. Because Cesis was the residence of the Order, Cesis then became one of the most important centres of the German authorities in the Baltic States.

St. John’s Church was consecrated in the year 1284 and the spire of the tower was built in 1853. The silhouette of the Church in the panorama of the city makes it impossible to confuse Cesis with any other town. This church has always been the pride of the city.

The church's basilica is 65 metres in length and 32 metres wide, consisting of three naves, with a massive 65-metre high bell tower capped by a 15-metre high Gothic style steeple at its western end. It was the cathedral of the Livonian Order; the masters of the Order, priests and knights are buried there. The threshold of the church is exactly 100 metres above the sea level and is exactly the same height as the rooster of St. Peter’s Church in Riga.

In the middle of the altar, the altarpiece "Pieta" of the famous Estonian artist Johann Köhler ("Calvary", "Crucifixion", "Christ on the cross", 1858) is placed. The first information about the organ of the church emerged in the 15th century and since 1907 there stands an outstanding masterpiece of the German master E. F. Valker, which was manufactured in Ludvigsburg (Germany). This organ is one of the largest historical concert organs in Latvia.

Nowadays as well as being a place of worship it also serves as a concert venue for choirs and organists, and hosts festivals. The evangelical Lutheranic congregation functions in the church. There is also the possibility of obtaining a guided tour.

Visitors can climb the tower of the church and enjoy a wonderful view over the old town.