Cēsis is a town in Latvia located in the northern part of the Vidzeme Central upland. Cēsis is on the Gauja River on high hillocks with terraces, overlooking the blue woods of the ancient river valley. It is the capital of Cesis County.
The oldest settlement in Cēsis is the hill fort on Riekstu hill, a fortified wooden castle built by a tribe known as the Vends. The 18m high mound with its partly-preserved fortification system can still be seen in the Castle Park.
Cēsis also developed as a health resort. Posh summer houses and health centres were built in the vicinity of the Gauja. 'Cīrulīši' near the Svētavots (Holy Spring) Cave is the most remarkable of them, with a spring believed to possess healing powers.