The historical cemetery of the city of Cēsis was investigated: the results were published in a unique resource

The cemetery of the city of Cēsis was established in 1773. For two centuries, St. Cēsu was buried in the cemetery. John’s house lut. citizens of Cēsis belonging to the city church, the Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of Christ in Cēsis, and the Jewish and Roma communities of Cēsis. The exact number of those buried in the cemetery is not known, but by inventorying the monuments that have survived to this day, it was possible to identify the names of around 600 persons.

Historically significant persons are buried in the cemetery – former honorary citizens of the city, employees of the city administration, doctors and teachers – as well as bakers, potters, cooks, chimney sweeps and other people not included in the chronicle of the city’s history. Until recent research, most of the burials were unknown to historians.

Culturally and historically valuable 18th c. the end of the 19th century grave plates of the first half, 19th century. cast iron and stone crosses, obelisks, columns and other monuments. During the Soviet occupation, a large number of monuments have been overturned and broken, dozens of marble and cast-iron crosses and almost all the chains of grave fences have been stolen.

In 2023, the municipality of Cēsi region took the first steps towards the idea of ​​renovating the cemetery by ordering the basic solutions for the restoration of monuments, author – restoration architect Artūrs Lapiņš, and the topographical plan of the cemetery territory to SIA “Metrum”. It is planned to start the design of the improvement of the cemetery, the restoration of pedestrian paths, the installation of lighting, and the demarcation of the territory in 2025.