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    Things to do in Daugavpils

    The most interesting things to do in Daugavpils. Photos and a brief description.

    Daugavpils
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    64.3 ° F
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    Mon
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    Tue
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    Wed
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    About Daugavpils

    The founding date of Daugavpils, located in the Latgale region of Latvia, is considered to be 1275. It originates from the Dinaburg Fortress, erected by the Livonian Order. Subsequently, the city belonged to Poles, Russians, and Lithuanians. This interweaving of cultures has added a kind of charm to Daugavpils. He managed to preserve a number of cultural and historical monuments. The most significant are the Daugavpils fortress and the only place in Europe – the Church Hill, where ancient temples of 4 confessions are adjacent.

    The pride of Daugavpils is a shot foundry with the oldest in Europe and still operating shot foundry tower. Many historical buildings and monuments are located along the 200-year-old pedestrian street Rigas. Interesting archaeological sites have been preserved on the territory of a natural park on the banks of the Daugava River.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Daugavpils

    Daugavpils Fortress

    The only defensive complex in Northern Europe, built at the beginning of the XIX century and has survived to the present day almost unchanged. The beginning of construction was laid in 1810, the project was developed by the best architects of Russia. It occupies an area of 150 hectares, consists of 8 bastions, 6 counterguards and ravelins, a fortress moat, a rampart, residential buildings and a parade square. The largest colony of bats in the country lives within the walls of the fortress, a specially created Center is dedicated to them.

    Daugavpils Fortress
    Mark Rothko Art Center

    Mark Rothko Art Center

    It is located on the territory of the Daugavpils Fortress, in the Arsenal room. Here are the originals of paintings by M. Rothko, the founder of the innovative trend of abstract expressionism. He is considered one of the most expensive and sought-after contemporary artists. A separate exhibition tells about the life and creative path of the master. Periodically, the art center shows works by other artists made in different techniques, as well as exhibitions of cultural and historical content.

    Unity House

    The grandiose multifunctional building on one of the central streets was erected in 1936-37 . At that time it was the largest building in the Baltic States. Its external appearance is distinguished by its rigor and simplicity, and its internal content is striking in its diversity. It houses a number of city institutions – a theater, a library, a bank, a tourist information center, a bookstore, a restaurant, and a Latvian Culture center. Previously, there was a swimming pool, a printing house, a hotel and a department store.

    Unity House
    Boris and Gleb Cathedral

    Boris and Gleb Cathedral

    The main Orthodox church in the city is the largest and most beautiful in Latvia. It was built at the beginning of the last century on the site of the old garrison church. It is made in the neo-Russian style. It can accommodate up to 5 thousand parishioners. The height is 56 meters. There is a bell tower with 4 bells. The temple is crowned with 10 gilded domes. The interior space is decorated with a three-tiered iconostasis made of polished oak. His icons are copies of the works of V. Vasnetsov, stored in the Kiev Vladimir Cathedral.

    Martin Luther Church

    Red brick building in the Neo-Gothic style. It has an asymmetrical layout, the height of the only side tower is 52 meters. The current Evangelical Lutheran church. It was erected in 1893. Over its more than a century-old history, it has repeatedly been subjected to significant destruction, looting and fires. In Soviet times it was used as a granary, warehouse, boxing school. Only in the 90s it was finally restored and handed over to the Lutheran community of Daugavpils.

    Martin Luther Church
    Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary

    Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary

    The snow–white temple was founded in 1902, and consecrated 3 years later. It is made in the style of Latgalian Baroque. The facade is decorated with two tall towers with crosses and a sculpture of the Mother of God. In the 80s, one of the towers was damaged by strong winds, and was subsequently restored. The church is famous for its ancient organ, which was created by the Polish master A. Homan and installed in 1908. In 1984, the instrument was restored. It is listed as a monument of national importance.

    St. Peter's Church in chains

    The oldest Catholic church in the city, still operating today. It is located in the central part of the city. It was built in 1845-48 . Originally it had a square tower. In the 20-30s of the last century, the building was rebuilt, the facade was provided with a colonnade and a large dome was built. The church began to resemble in part the Cathedral of the same name in the Vatican. In the 70s, the building was under threat of demolition. The Pope himself helped to defend it, to whom the faithful of Daugavpils sent a letter.

    St. Peter's Church in chains
    Church-Chapel of Alexander Nevsky

    Church-Chapel of Alexander Nevsky

    This is a small memorial building in A. Pumpura Square. It was erected on the site of the main Orthodox cathedral of Alexander Nevsky, founded in 1864. In the 60s of the last century, it was closed and subsequently blown up. The chapel has a symbolic purpose – to remind of the destroyed temple. It was consecrated in 2003. It has a belfry with a bell weighing 325 kg. Inside the chapel there is a small altar with a throne. Divine services are often held here.

    Local History and Art Museum

    One of the largest and oldest institutions dedicated to the history of the Latgale region. The foundation date of the museum is considered to be 1938. Its funds number about 90 thousand exhibits dedicated to the nature of the region, ethnography, archeology, archival documents, bonistics, culture and art. There is an art hall of the famous local painter L. Baulin. The museum building, made in the Art Nouveau style, was erected in 1883 and declared an architectural monument.

    Local History and Art Museum
    Museum of Shmakovka

    Museum of Shmakovka

    Shmakovka is called an ancient Latgalian strong drink or simply moonshine. The original modern museum opened in 2016 in one of the rooms of the Unity House. Its expositions, including virtual ones, introduce the rich history and traditions of moonshine brewing in Latgale, types of raw materials, the production process and the influence of the drink on health. The museum hosts master classes on making smack and tasting several varieties of it.

    Museum of Military Equipment

    In the Baltic States, this is the only large collection of armored vehicles. The museum is located in the village of Svente, in a hangar on the territory of the private estate of Jaunsventes. Self-propelled artillery installations, the famous T-34, IS-2 and IS-3 tanks, German armored personnel carriers and self-propelled guns, Gaz and Willis off-road vehicles, howitzers and guns of Polish and Soviet production, modern armored personnel carriers are located here. All the equipment has been restored and is in excellent condition, most of the cars are on the move.

    Museum of Military Equipment
    Shot Foundry

    Shot Foundry

    One of the oldest munitions factories in Europe. It was founded in 1884, and continues to function today. It produces cartridges, shot, buckshot, various types of bullets, lead seals, fishing hooks, etc. A museum has been created at the factory. During the tour, you can see the equipment of the XIX century and modern structures, a shot foundry, a unique 37 m high lead casting tower. The plant's products can be tested in a shooting range.

    Latgale Zoo

    It began with a small zoological circle, created in 1987 in the basement of the pedagogical Institute. Today it is a small island of real jungle near the city center, where exotic animals and fish live. Among them are crocodiles, snakes, turtles, piranhas, iguanas, surricates, opossums, guinea pigs, monkeys. The zoo plans to create a walking trail with observation towers around a nearby swamp where a colony of seagulls nests.

    Latgale Zoo
    Dubrovinsky Park

    Dubrovinsky Park

    It was founded at the end of the XIX century by the mayor Pavel Dubrovin. With his personal funds, he bought a swampy area in the center of Daugavpils, drained it, planted it with trees and presented it to the townspeople. As a sign of respect, a monument to the great figure has been erected in the park. Other notable objects of the green oasis include a color–illuminated fountain, a pond, and a war memorial. The park is quiet, well-groomed, there are many benches for recreation, lanterns, flower arrangements.