Limbaži (pronunciationⓘ, Estonian: Lemsalu, German: Lemsal, Livonian: Limbaž[3]) is a town in the Vidzeme region of northern Latvia, with a population of 6,888.

The name is believed to be a Latvianised version (hence the -aži ending) of the Livonian word Lembsel (Lemesel) meaning "wide isle in a forest swamp".

In the early 13th century, Bishop Albert and the Teutonic knights destroyed the village while conquering Metsepole, and built a castle, around which formed the new city, Lemsahl.

The small trading camp surrounding the castle grew into a large town, and was admitted to the Hanseatic League.

In addition, the Archbishops of Riga made Lemsahl his spring residence, which became a walled city to protect both the bishop and the trading center.

During the Livonian War, Ivan the Terrible's forces burned down Lemsahl in 1558, while its residents fled to the nearby forests and marshes for shelter.

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.