Chestvin (Sesswegen, modern Cesvaine)

56° 58′ 08″ N , 26° 18′ 45″ E

The Latgalian castle of Cesvaine (Zcessowe) was mentioned from 1209-1211. These lands entered the sphere of influence of the Archdiocese of Riga at the beginning of the 13th century. Until 1461 a stone castle was built here. He was in the zone of military clashes between the Pskov land and the Livonian Order in the 15th century, as well as in the wars of the bishop and the master. In 1556, as a result of the "war of the coadjutors", the castle passed into the hands of the order. In 1559-1560 it was captured by Russian troops . The Russians renamed it from the German Sesvegen to Cestvin (closer to the Latvian version). After 1582 it became part of the Livonian possessions of the Commonwealth.

It is located in the modern Latvian city of Cesvaine todae. Remains of the castle are ruins in the romantic style, located near to the Cesvaini castle of the new era, built in the neo-Renaissance style in 1890-1897.

Tags: castles and fortresses, 13 century, 15 century, 16 century, Teutonic Order (Livonia), The paths of the Teutonic knights: Livonia in the 13th century, Livonia and North-West Russia in the 15th century, Routes of the Livonian War