Āraiši Lake Fortress
Āraišu ezerpils
A lakeside wooden fort rebuilt from archaeological excavations, dating from the 9th and 10th centuries and a rare reconstruction of lake dwellings in Europe.
Āraiši Lake Fortress lies on a small island in Lake Āraiši, about 8 km south of Cēsis. Archaeology has shown that a wooden settlement built by the ancient Latgalians stood here in the 9th and 10th centuries. The archaeological park has rebuilt more than a dozen log houses based on the excavations, reached by a trestle bridge to the island. On the shore, a Stone Age hut and the remains of a medieval castle are also reconstructed. Summer activities include baking bread and traditional crafts. Admission includes an explanatory booklet, and opening hours change with the seasons and may be shorter in winter. It can be visited together with the nearby Āraiši windmill.
Opening hours
May–Oct approx. 10:00–18:00; shorter in winter
Nearby sights
- Āraiši Windmill
- Cēsis Old Town
- St. John's Church, Cēsis
- Victory Monument & Vienības Square
- Cēsis Castle
- Cēsis Castle Park
- Cīrulīši Nature Trails
- Žagarkalns