demolishing its fortifications and walls. By the time the wars had ended, the city was so demolished, only three houses and a handful of residents remained. 18th and 19th centuries While under Swedish rule, the village was renamed Limbaži sometime in the 17th century. During the Great Northern War, Vidzeme was totally ravaged by Peter the Great's forces. But, as the story goes, while searching for Limbaži, the Russian army got lost in a heavy fog. After repeatedly going around in circles, the soldiers began to believe such a village may not exist after all, and moved on. Limbaži survived the war unscathed. The city completely burned down again in 1747, after which today's city layout began to develop. In the 19th century, the city began to grow again. In 1821 there were 674 inhabitants, but by 1900 there were about 2000. In 1876, hat-maker A. Tīls opened "Limbažu filcs" (Limbaži Felt), the town's oldest company, which also secured jobs for generations of the city's inhabitants. The first town library was built in the late 19th century, and several publishing houses were opened, the largest of which was K. Paucīsis Press. Twentieth century After World War I Limbaži continued to grow as a center of commerce and crafts. The long-awaited rail line to Riga opened in 1934, and a 50-bed hospital opened in 1936. The House of Unity () cultural center was unveiled in 1939. During World War II, Limbaži was under German occupation from 4 July 1941 until 26 September 1944. During the Soviet occupation the population increased to 8,000, with many five-storey Soviet-style apartments appearing in the 1960s. During the Soviet period, Limbaži became a factory-town with the "Lauktehnika" farm machinery center, "Limbažu filcs" felt hat factory and "Limbažu piens" – one of the largest milk processors in Latvia – all based there. Demographics Notable residents Kārlis Baumanis (May 11, 1835 – January 10, 1905), composer of the Latvian national anthem, "Dievs, svētī Latviju!" Notable locations Limbaži Old Town, with remains of the town wall Ruins of the Archbishop's castle Limbaži History Museum Livonian hill-fort at Ķezberkalns St. John Lutheran Church () Kārlis Baumanis' grave and monument Limbažu Lielezers (Lake Limbaži) The national Olympic training center for canoeing and kayaking is situated in Limbaži Twin towns – sister cities Limbaži is twinned with: Alver, Norway Anklam, Germany Klippan, Sweden Luninets, Belarus Panevėžys District Municipality, Lithuania Sande, Norway Volkhov,