Daugavpils Latvia. The main attractions of Daugavpils: list, photos and descriptions. Photo gallery: exhibition of the pottery art center in Daugavpils

Daugavpils(previously Dvinsk, Dinaburg(until 1893), Borisoglebov, according to Russian chronicles Nevgin- a city of republican subordination in Latvia, the second largest and most important city in the country after the capital. Located on the Daugava River ( Western Dvina), near the borders of Lithuania (25 km) and Belarus (33 km).

Story

As part of Livonia

Old Dinaburg (now Vecpils, Naujena parish) was founded by the Knights of the Sword on the banks of the Dvina River, 19 km upstream from the current city. The castle was first mentioned in historical sources in 1275. In 1275, Master of the Livonian Order, Baron Ernst von Ratzeburg (est.) Russian erected the stone castle of Dinaburg, which became the center of the commuria.

Soon after the founding of the new castle, the Lithuanian prince Troyden besieged it for several weeks. A few years later, the assault undertaken by Troyden's successor, Prince Viten, was more successful, and the castle was destroyed for the first time. In 1313, the master of the order, Gerd von York, rebuilt Dinaburg again, and in 1347, the master Goswin von Guericke added four more towers. In 1481, the castle was taken by the troops of Ivan III; the troops were later withdrawn.

As part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

In 1558, the Livonian War began. In 1559, Dinaburg was ceded by the Livonians to the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Sigismund II Augustus. According to the agreement between Sigismund II and the Landmaster of the Teutonic Order in Livonia, Gotthard Ketler, concluded in 1561, Dinaburg became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In 1569, Duke Gotthard Ketler finally abandoned the castle in favor of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

During the Livonian War in July 1577, the castle was taken by the troops of Ivan the Terrible, who ordered the construction of a trench 19 km from the destroyed Livonian castle - at the mouth of the Shunitsa river opposite the village of Jerusalem. However, in 1578, Ivan the Terrible was forced to abandon the Livonian region, returning it to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

During the war for the Swedish throne between King Sigismund and Duke Charles of Södermanland, as well as under Gustav II Adolf, the Swedes took Dinaburg twice, but each time returned it to Poland.

As a result of the Union of Keidan in 1655, the city was occupied by the Swedes. However, a year later, during the Russian-Swedish war of 1656-58, Dinaburg was besieged and taken by the army of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, who renamed the city Borisoglebov. In 1666, during the Russian-Polish War, a Polish offensive was repelled near Borisoglebov, but as a result of the Truce of Andrusovo, the city again became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

As part of the Russian Empire

According to the results of the first section of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Dinaburg was included in the Pskov province in 1772 Russian Empire, since 1802 county town Vitebsk province. In 1810-1878, the modern Dinaburg fortress was built in the city.

Since the second half of the 19th century, the city was one of the shopping centers of Western Russia.

The city acquired new significance with the construction of sections of the St. Petersburg - Warsaw railway in 1860-1862, lines from Riga (1861), Vitebsk (1866) and Radzivilishki (1873) (for more details, see Daugavpils railway junction). From the middle of the 19th century, rapid development of industry began (see Industrial Revolution in Russia).

In 1897, the city's population was 69,675 people, including Jews - 32,064, Russians - 19,153, Poles - 11,420, Germans - 3,126, Belarusians - 1,525, Latvians - 1,274.

During the First World War and the Civil War

During the First World War, most of the industry was evacuated to the interior regions of Russia. The front approached the city in the fall of 1915, when, during the Sventsyansky breakthrough, German troops were able to move to the Dvina and Dvinsk. The capture of Dvinsk, as an important strategic point, opened the way to the capital of the country, Petrograd.

There were positional battles around the city; in 1917, after the February Revolution, fraternization began at the front; by the fall of 1917, the disintegration of the front, the appearance of the “Dvintsy”, and the strengthening of the influence of the Bolsheviks in the troops.

After the October Revolution and the truce at the front (Decree of Peace), in November an authorized delegation of the Council of People's Commissars passed through Dvinsk from Petrograd to Brest-Litovsk to conduct peace negotiations with Germany. On December 31, 1917, by a resolution of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR, the Dvina district of the Vitebsk province was transferred to Soviet Latvia (the Republic of Iskolata). On February 18, 1918, the city was occupied by German troops.

After the November Revolution in Germany on December 9, 1918, German troops left Dvinsk without a fight in favor of the Red Army. Dvinsk became part of the Latvian Socialist Soviet Republic, proclaimed on December 17, 1918.

During the Soviet-Polish War, during the battles for Dvinsk on January 3, 1920, the city was occupied Polish troops under the command of General Rydz-Smigly. According to the Riga Peace Treaty with Soviet Russia of August 11, 1920, the city and county were assigned to independent Latvia and in the same year the city was renamed Daugavpils (“city on the Daugava”).

As part of the 1st Republic of Latvia

House of Unity

In 1935, the first steel bridge in the Baltics was opened - the Unity Bridge, connecting Daugavpils with Griva.

At the beginning of December 1939, through the city along railway The staff of the evacuated Finnish Embassy in Moscow proceeded to Germany due to the outbreak of the war of 1939-1940. The Ambassador of Finland lived for several days in one of the hotels in the city.

During the Second World War

With the outbreak of war between Germany and Poland on September 1, 1939, units of the Polish army crossed into the territory of Latvia in the Daugavpils region, and an internment camp for Poles was set up in the fortress in the fall.

On June 26, 1941, the city was occupied by German troops. Mass executions took place in the Pogulyansky forest. Behind the northern rampart of the fortress there was a camp for Soviet prisoners of war “Stalag-340” (Stalag 340).

In August-October 1944, after the city was liberated from German troops on July 27, the city served as the capital of the Latvian SSR.

During World War II, more than 165 thousand people were killed in the city, and the city was destroyed by more than 70%.

As part of the USSR

On November 5, 1946, a tram was launched. During the period from April 8, 1952 to April 25, 1953, the city was regional center Daugavpils region of the Latvian SSR. On May 30, 1953, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR, the city of Griva was annexed to the city of Daugavpils.

In 1957, the 180-meter-high Daugavpils TV tower opened its doors. In the 1980s, another 24 meters were added with the help of a helicopter; now its height is 204 meters. In 1959, the All-Union Population Census of the USSR noted 65.5 thousand people in the city. New residential areas were built, the Daugavpils Drive Chain Plant, a chemical fiber plant, an automobile repair plant, a furniture factory, Latremstanok and other enterprises, for example, a meat processing plant, a cannery.

In 1970, the All-Union Population Census of the USSR recorded 100.6 thousand people in the city. In the post-war period, the city was included in the NATO list of one hundred objects subject to nuclear bombing due to its significance and military-strategic position, since the city had an important railway junction, military warehouses, a military school, and a military airfield (now Daugavpils International Airport).

In 1979, construction of the Daugavpils hydroelectric power station began in the Rugeli region, construction was stopped in 1987. In 1989, a new deck of the Unity Bridge was installed on the old bulls. In 1989, the All-Union Population Census of the USSR recorded 126.7 thousand people in the city. On January 1, 1992, 127,619 people lived in the city, then the population began to decline (number as of January 1): 1995: 120,897; 2000: 115,574; 2005: 107,269; 2010: 95,962; 2015: 86,435 people.

Modernity

Daugavpils today is a modern and developing city in Latvia, which is one of the most important cultural centers of the country. Daugavpils is known for the largest fortification structure in the Baltics - the Daugavpils Fortress, as well as its famous native, abstract artist Mark Rothko. Daugavpils is important transport hub between Russia and the European Union. The city has a railway and bus station; in Lotsiki, next to the city, a former Soviet military airfield is being restored and will be transformed into an airport of national importance.

Daugavpils University

In Daugavpils there are both public and private universities, a theater that hosts performances in Russian and Latvian, a local history and art museum. The main attraction of the city is the well-preserved Daugavpils Fortress of the early 19th century, built under the leadership of engineer-major general E.F. Hekel.

To spend free time in Daugavpils works Ice Palace, bowling center in youth entertainment center"Orange Bowling" in the "Ditton Nams" shopping center, as well as the Daugavpils Museum, exhibition spaces, many restaurants, cafes and bars. In the summer, the Stropu recreation center “Stropu Vilnis”, located near Strop Lake, operates. In 2008, construction began on the Daugavpils multifunctional sports complex, which was put into operation on October 29, 2009.

In winter it is possible to visit ski resort recreation Eglyukalns, located near Daugavpils. Since September 11, 2009, the six-hall Silver Screen cinema with 1,200 seats has been available for visiting in the city, at the moment being the only cinema in Eastern Europe with the technology of showing films in Sony CineAlta 4K and RealD 3D. The cinema is located in the Ditton Nams shopping centre. Restoration of the architectural dominant of the city - the Daugavpils Fortress - is underway. In September 2010, the restoration of one of the most significant buildings in the city, the House of Unity, was completed.

Construction of the first solar power plant in the Baltics is planned to begin in Daugavpils in the near future.

On June 4-6, 2010, Daugavpils celebrated its anniversary - 735 years. The anniversary was marked by a song festival, in which more than 3,000 participants from all over Latvia took part. Among the honorary guests of the holiday were the country's President Valdis Zatlers, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and the outstanding Latvian composer Raimonds Pauls.

In 2010, the Daugavpils Fortress celebrated its 200th anniversary since the beginning of its construction.

There are two correctional institutions in the city, located on different banks of the Daugava. One of them is the largest in Latvia. Daugavpils prison, known as the “White Swan”, was built in 1863 on the outskirts of the city. Currently, she found herself near the modern center.

It boasts a long history, rich in many exciting events. Founded by the knights-sword-bearers, it more than once became a trophy of bellicose conquering neighbors. When choosing what to see in Daugavpils, you can count on architectural sights of different eras and cultures. In addition to man-made monuments, the city has picturesque lakes and parks, and therefore nature lovers and active entertainment in Daugavpils will be no less interesting than for history fans.

TOP 10 attractions of Daugavpils

Dinaburg Castle

Having founded the city at the beginning of the 13th century, the Knights of the Sword first built a wooden fortress. From this moment begins the history of Daugavpils, through which the trade route from and to the Baltic passed. In 1275 the wooden walls were replaced with stone ones, and new castle became the residence of the Master of the Livonian Order Ernst von Ratzeburg. The building turned into an important stronghold that helped the Order fight the claims of the Lithuanian and Russian principalities that attacked Dinaburg.
The castle was destroyed many times, but the masters of the Order restored the fort and continued to defend themselves. Finally, in 1577, Ivan the Terrible, who captured Dinaburg, ordered the fortress walls to be dismantled to the ground.
Today you can look at the legendary castle that gave rise to Daugavpils in Daugavas Loki Park, where in 1996 an exact model of the fortress was recreated.

In 1810, Alexander I set out to strengthen the western borders of the Russian Empire in connection with the threat of war with the French. The construction of a defensive structure in Daugavpils was entrusted to the military engineer E.F. Hekel.
During the war, the building was badly damaged, then it was restored, and in 1833 it was consecrated. However, there was no talk about the final readiness of the fort until 1878, when the work was finally completed.
During its existence, the Daugavpils Fortress managed to be not only the location of a military garrison and a military arsenal, but also a shelter for orphans and soldiers' children, a fire station and a warehouse. During World War II, units were stationed at the fort German army and a camp for Soviet prisoners of war was organized.
Currently, the complex of buildings is being restored and improved; some of the premises are open to tourists. During the tour you will be able to see several fortress gates, a parade area, utility and residential buildings.
Daugavpils Fortress nominated for inclusion in the lists World Heritage UNESCO.

City blocks

Old center Daugavpils was built in a single architectural style called “Latgalian Baroque”. The special shape of the building made of red stone with decorative elements is impossible not to remember. Architectural ensemble Jaunbūve, which includes an Orthodox cathedral and Catholic and Lutheran churches, is located on Church Hill, and about 80 architectural monuments from different years have been preserved on Rigas Street.

The Arsenal building of the Daugavpils Fortress, restored at the beginning of this century, was given to art lovers in 2013. An Art Center was opened in a former military arsenal, which was named after Mark Rothko. A native of Daugavpils, Rothko was a prominent representative of abstract expressionism. It is he who has the honor of creating the color field painting technique. Rothko emigrated to Russia with his parents in 1913. His paintings have more than once become the most expensive works of post-war world art, and the artist himself is called one of the most influential American painters of the second half of the twentieth century.
The Rothko Art Center is the only gallery in Eastern countries where the exhibition of works by the eminent fellow countryman is permanent. The museum's collection includes six paintings provided to the center by the descendants of the celebrity.
The museum also offers an opportunity to get acquainted with the work of contemporary Latvian artists. Exhibitions of their works are held in the former military arsenal with enviable regularity.
In the art center, the building itself and the square in front of it are worthy of attention. During the restoration work, restorers were able to preserve the original appearance of the building and its architectural elements.

The exhibition of the Daugavpils Local History and Art Museum offers its guests a look at authentic objects telling about the history and culture of the region.
The museum was first opened in 1938, when a collection of finds discovered during archaeological research on the banks of the Dviete River and Lake Lubans was presented to all history buffs.
After the war, the exhibition moved to the street. Rigas, and national costumes, ceramics, paintings and other interesting objects and works of art were added to the collection. Today the museum has more than 90 thousand storage units. On the excursion you can learn about the most important moments in the history of Daugavpils, starting from the 9th century. BC e. to this day.
The exhibition “Nature of our region” is a great success among visitors, where medicinal plants and representatives of the insect world are offered to the attention of guests. Part of the exhibition about nature tells about the species of plants and animals listed in the Red Book.
The museum courtyard hosts outdoor events - performances with the participation of schoolchildren, fairs and exhibitions of works by local artists.

Being the mayor of the city, Pavel Fedorovich Dubrovin decided to set up a park in Daugavpils, where citizens could take a break from everyday worries, walking with their families and enjoying nature. This happened back in 1882. Dubrovin purchased three hectares of land with his own money and carried out the necessary reclamation work on them. During the life of the official and philanthropist, the park was called the Dubrovinsky Garden, and today it is considered one of the most popular attractions in Daugavpils.
During the years of Soviet power, as was customary, the park was given a new name, and it became the Komsomol garden. Fortunately, in the 90s. of the last century, the historical name has returned, and today people enjoy relaxing in Dubrovinsky Park, just like a century ago.
Benches were installed in the garden, fountains were installed, new paths were laid and a memorial was opened in memory of those killed in World War II. Rare plants planted in the park by Pavel Fedorovich Dubrovin successfully survived all the hardships and turned into the most significant exhibits of the natural museum.

Monument to Dubrovin

In 1967, a pond was concreted in Dubrovin Park and a fountain was installed in its place, now equipped with color lighting. In 2007, a monument to the philanthropist was solemnly opened next to the fountain. This happened during the celebrations marking the 125th anniversary of the garden.
Sculpture of the mayor who gave people public park, cast from bronze. The author of the monument is Alexander Tartynov, and the government sponsored its production and installation.
Dubrovin is depicted walking with his bulldog dog. In his right hand he holds a leash in the form of a chain, in his left - a coat. Unfortunately, vandals removed and stole the chain several times, and the city council had to install video surveillance of the monument.

The name of the natural park, located between the cities and Daugavpils, is translated from Latvian as “Bends of the Daugava”. Both tourists and local residents.
Save local beauties Latvians decided in 1990, when the creation of the park was announced. In order to prevent forests and their inhabitants from being harmed, the government even decided to stop the construction of the Daugavpils hydroelectric power station.
On the territory of Daugavas Loki there are two largest cliffs in the republic. The height of the largest is more than 40 m. It offers beautiful views of the bends of the river. One more observation deck located on a tower in Vasargelis.
Among the attractions of the park, visitors receive special attention from the model of the Dinaburg castle, Markova and Vetsrachinskoe fortifications, the Old Believer settlement of Slutishki - in total more than two dozen archaeological and ethnographic sites.

Mark's trail

If you love local history and prefer to relax actively even on vacation, go hiking along the Markova Trail, located in the vicinity of the village of the same name in natural park Daugavas Loki.
The trail is laid in one of the most most beautiful places Baltic states. The lower reaches of the Putansky stream in the Upper Daugava valley are often visited by landscape photographers. During your walk, you will look at the picturesque banks of the river and the panoramas that open from the cliffs to its bends.
The Mark's Path was paved and improved by students and teachers of the local university. Along the way you will find rest areas, signs, toilets and other necessary tourist infrastructure,
The closed route formed by the trail is not too long - just a little over one and a half kilometers. It will take you about two hours to cover the distance, even including stops and photo sessions.
The list of objects worth paying attention to during the hike includes the Markov settlement, the Daugava Gate, the lowland boulder of the Putansky stream, the Slutish manor and the meander circle of the Daugava.

The Old Believer village of Slutiski in Daugavas Loki will be of interest to those tourists who study local history and the way of life of the Baltic peasants. It was first mentioned in written documents at the end of the 18th century.
In Slutishki you can visit the house-museum of the Old Believers and see the old cemetery, preserved from the 16th-17th centuries. A pottery workshop has been opened in the village, where they still make pottery. In the last ten days of spring, a traditional international festival arts "Augshdaugava", in which dance groups from the Baltic States participate.

Daugavpils was founded in 1275 as the castle of the Dinaburg Swordsmen. For three centuries, the fortification was subject to sieges, was damaged, rebuilt and passed from hand to hand. Until, in 1577, it was finally destroyed by the troops of Ivan the Terrible. By order of the Russian Tsar new fortress was laid 19 km upstream. Further, the new Dinaburg again took part in wars, until in 1772 it became part of the Russian Empire. Currently, Daugavpils is the second city in Latvia in terms of population (about 100 thousand people).
Having settled into the carriage of the Minsk - Riga train, I went out onto the platform. The talkative conductor clearly did not fit into the established stereotype of silent Latvians. The chatterbox is a godsend not only for a spy, but is also of particular interest to a traveler.
- It seemed to me that the tickets were too expensive. Am I wrong?
- No. The fact is that today there is a Latvian train. Tomorrow there will be a Belarusian one, tickets for which are almost two times cheaper.
- How can we explain this?
- Here, in Latvia, everything is more expensive. Products, coal, services...
- That's how... I hope you are an experienced guide and understand that the same products could be bought in Minsk at low prices, and sell to passengers at higher prices, as if they were purchased in Latvia. We don’t care what kind of sugar is in the tea you bring. Get a salary increase...
- No, we don't do that. By buying Latvian goods, our citizens support the economy of their country.
Because The lady was constantly joking, it was difficult to determine whether she herself was one of those conscious citizens. But did she give away the secret of the backbone of the Latvian economy? If everything is expensive, then there will be money in the country’s budget. Whether they will remain in the hands of the residents is less important...
The monument to the soldiers of the revolutionary 5th Army from the Komsomol members of Daugavpils in the 1960s is located at the station.

The hostel I booked started checking in after 12 o'clock. Consequently, I had a time train at my disposal. The bright sun promised midday heat, but so far the weather was super comfortable, promising to make cycling around the city a lasting pleasure. We can say that the city was waking up before my eyes.

I took a ride towards the bus station. Having bought a ticket for the next morning to Kaunas, I found a cozy place in the park located opposite and took out a thermos. I haven’t smoked for a long time, and a few sips of hot tea (regardless of the outside temperature) probably replaces a cigarette for me.

After resting a bit, I headed out into the city. Who was already waking up. But he did it slowly, without the rush typical of megacities, where in the morning, within an hour, roads, sidewalks and bus interiors are filled.

It was still as quiet in the courtyards.

There was a sign near this house warning that it was private property. It became interesting what restrictions this circumstance imposes on pedestrians and me, including. A woman was walking towards me.
- Please tell me, it says that this is private territory. Why can’t you go to it?
- I don’t know, I only walk on roads and sidewalks, and therefore I don’t pay attention to such inscriptions...
Well, that's reasonable. It will be necessary to follow her example.

Next begins the region, which was called, immediately after birth, in late XIX century, New Building. Almost immediately we find ourselves on Church Hill, which brings together churches of different faiths on its territory. Boris and Gleb Cathedral (1905). It can accommodate up to 5 thousand people and is considered the largest Orthodox church Latvia.

It looks like a pre-revolutionary educational building.

Lutheran Church of Martin Luther (1893). Its spire burned twice. Last restored in the 1990s.

The water pump is also a necessary structure.

Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary (1905).

Temple of the Old Believer Community (1928). The sun had already risen quite high, and I decided to come to this area in the afternoon and photograph all the temples from a different angle.

The building of another educational institution.

Hotel "Villa Ksenia" is located in an old mansion built in 1876. Named after the owners’ daughter.

One more thing interesting building caught attention with the Polish flag fluttering in the wind. Poland is actively present in those territories that were previously part of it.

An attempt to delve deeper into the New Building showed that this area is of little interest to tourists, and the development of its attractions is unprofitable.

There are also new houses. This one was recently completed.

Memory of the Great Patriotic War.

When I went on this trip, a significant part of which was a trip to the countries of the former Soviet Baltic states, I was not sure that I would be able to communicate with the natives without problems. I even put pieces of paper in my pocket so that, on occasion, I could draw the object I needed. But in Daugavpils everyone spoke Russian. One of the reasons is that about half of the city is Russian. Of course, some of them have problems. For example, my compartment neighbor who was traveling with me from Minsk, who was born here or has lived here since early childhood, was not a citizen, because cannot learn Latvian. But overall, it didn’t seem to me that the Russians were somehow oppressed here.
A woman with an enlightened face was walking from the church. It was clear that a better interlocutor could not be found.
- Tell me please, is this church old or recently built?
- Oh, it’s old... I don’t remember from what year, but it’s been there for a very long time. These houses around it were built under Soviet rule. And before, all the land here was church land. The priest had a vegetable garden here, he grew vegetables on it.
- What about father now without a garden? He's starving, I guess?...
- Why does he need a garden now? He goes to the store. Like everyone else. He is, after all, the same as us...
Assumption Church (1877).

Soon I was back on the viaduct over the railway tracks. I was just driving on the other side. I got off it as soon as I found myself on the opposite side of the road.

The city center is located between the Daugava and the railway. It makes sense to take a closer look here.

Former synagogue. At the end of the 19th century, the share of Jews among the city's residents was close to half.

In 1810, the construction of the Dinaburg fortress began. They began to build it on the site of residential areas, and the city itself, the one we see today, began to be rebuilt nearby. Work began in 1826, according to a pre-drawn plan. Therefore, a significant part of the streets of the city center intersect at right angles. This circumstance makes the city convenient for exploring. The main thing is not to end up on the same street several times. And it’s not surprising for a visitor to get confused here, because there are not two or three streets in the center.

There are quite interesting buildings.

The City Council building was built in 1889 for the Divisional Assembly. From the very beginning, important premises for service were allocated there: a buffet and a room for playing cards.

The former cinema theater "Daugava" was built according to a standard design.

A Stalinka building with a spire stands at one of the intersections.

University building (1956).

Monument to Writers.
Janis Rainis. He studied in Daugavpils.

And Andrey Pumpurs. He served in the city (then Dvinsk) at the end of his life.

Temple-chapel of Alexander Nevsky (2000).

Fragment of the House of Unity (1937). This grandiose building houses many useful institutions. In the part we see now there is a library.

A fragment of urban development nearby.

I have a serious problem. The fact is that while in Belarus, I rode a bicycle in shorts (I tried clothes that were new to me). And since the weather was sunny, I didn’t notice how my legs were badly burned. In Daugavpils they became swollen and began to hurt. I had to go to the pharmacy, drive to a secluded place, lift my trouser legs above my knees, lubricate my shins and stand there while the cream was absorbed. It happened somewhere here.

Then I remembered that I never got to Riga Street, which became pedestrian (from railway station, where it begins, I immediately drove to the side). It turned out that I was hanging around all the time. Nowadays it has become a good place for walking.

A sculpture in one of the parks. The lady looks a little sad. Apparently, in anticipation of something unpleasant.

It is not easy to determine the gender of this person. Which, actually, is quite in the spirit of the times.

Over the centuries it was subjected to sieges and destruction, rebuilt again, and names changed. The only thing that remained unchanged was the wondrous beauty of nature and the desire of the population to live and develop despite all adversity.

Daugavpils Fortress

Arriving in Daugavpils, you definitely need to see the sights of the city. Business card This place can be called the Daugavpils Fortress, also called the Dinaburg Fortress. Its construction began in 1812, when these lands were under the protectorate of the Russian Empire. Therefore, the fortress is an example of a Russian fortification structure in the Empire style.

Time has left almost no traces on the eight rampart bastions, gates and bridge fortifications. This is one of the fortresses that has remained unchanged.

Murmuiža Castle

If you have visited Daugavpils, a map of attractions will help you. On it you will definitely find such an ancient building as Murmuiža Castle. It is mentioned in sixteenth-century chronicles. However, it is assumed that it was built by one of the Livonian knights much earlier.

For hundreds of years, the castle passed from hand to hand, one of its owners was the Chancellor of Sweden. The building was constantly being completed and rebuilt, so only the old tower, which was nicknamed the “Tower Cage,” remained unchanged to this day.

Daugavpils (Latvia) attractions

Residents of Daugavpils are highly cultured and educated people, and this statement is true not only for their contemporaries. Evidence of this can be seen in the four shrines of different faiths that have survived to this day, located on the famous Temple Hill or, as it is also called, Church Hill. The Orthodox Cathedral of Boris and Gleb was built at the very beginning of the twentieth century and is the most spacious in Latvia; its architectural style is neo-Russian.

At the same time, a church was erected Holy Mother of God for parishioners of the Roman Catholic faith. A little earlier, the Martin Luther Church was built. What else can you see on the hill? There is Orthodox Church Old Believers - Church of the Resurrection, Nativity of the Virgin Mary and St. Nicholas. Except places of worship on Temple Hill in Daugavpils you can get acquainted with the architecture, history of the Alexander Nevsky Church, St. Peter's Church, synagogue and others.

Zoo

A favorite vacation spot for residents and guests of the city, especially young people, is the Latgale Zoo. Yielding to menageries major cities in area, it nevertheless surpasses many of them with its extraordinary conditions for keeping animals and the diversity of flora and fauna. Visitors are delighted by the very design of the zoo, which resembles a jungle, where you can find macaques, pythons, caimans, marsupials, many birds and fish.

Not far from St. Peter's Church, tourists can admire the Sculpture Garden. Among hundreds of different flower beds that form a living carpet of flowers, there are amazing figures - the work of the best Latvian masters.

Lakes and Egļukalns Hill

Highly recommended for review wonderful corners nature: Small Stropskoye Lake, connected by a channel to Big Stropskoye Lake. Picturesque reservoirs, captivating the eye with incomparable landscapes, will be very attractive not only to tourists, but also to fishing enthusiasts: they contain a wide variety of fish.

Those who want to admire the beauty of Daugavpils nature from above should go to Eglyukalns Hill, which is eleven kilometers from the city. Here twelve years ago it was built observation tower, from where a marvelous panorama of the area opens.

Vienibas Square

In the center of the city there is Vienibas Square, which translated into Russian means “Unity Square”. Amazing events often take place there: vibrant parades, noisy fairs, interesting concerts. The special charm of the square is given by rumors about underground passages that have been preserved since the early Middle Ages, when a fortress stood on this site.

Daugavpils, the sights of which we consider in the article, is a city that hospitably welcomes fans of various festivals. They take place here three times a year. These are festivals of choral and sacred music, traditional masks, as well as jazz music.

Sculpture "Cat" and the House of Unity

If a traveler wants to plunge into the atmosphere of Latvia, this small Baltic country, and understand its mentality, then he should definitely wander along Rigas Street. It is unique in that it is completely pedestrian; all traffic is prohibited. And at the same time, it is not crowded with retail outlets, cafes or restaurants. Near one of the houses there is a sculpture “Cat”, which evokes special affection among children, as eloquently evidenced by its well-worn granite face. Rigas has a quiet, cozy, decorous atmosphere; here time seems to slow down, and you can admire the amazing architecture of low buildings in the eclectic style. This is the street of the past and present. The House of Unity is located on it. This is a kind of compact center of cultural, financial, and social life of the city. At the same time, it is a monument to the strict and monumental architecture of the thirties of the last century.

Local History and Art Museum

In 1938, the Daugavpils Local History and Art Museum was founded. The building itself is a beautiful monument Art Nouveau architecture. The museum contains exhibitions dedicated to the history, nature, and culture of this corner of Latvia.

The townspeople are proud of their famous fellow countrymen - and Leonid Baulin, to whose work two separate halls are dedicated. In addition, tourists will be interested in visiting the museum “Jews in Daugavpils and Latgale”, which is located in a functioning synagogue. It is not only items related to the cultural and religious traditions of Jews that are of interest. Its exhibitions tell about the life of the entire city, of which representatives of the ancient people were an integral part.

"Bat" and "Turtle"

What else is interesting about Daugavpils? The attractions, photos of which are presented in the article, attract tourists. After all, they are very beautiful here. The townspeople carefully preserve the monuments of antiquity and at the same time bring something new and unusual into the interior of the streets. For example, the sculpture “Bat” is very interesting. On one of the streets there is an iron figurine of a bat, which weighs only five hundred grams and is slightly more than sixty centimeters wide. This product is an original design solution and fits organically into the architecture of the street. In a short time it has become an iconic object; people often take photographs near it. Another new wonder of the city is the “Turtle” sculpture. Made from African light granite, it not only serves as decoration, but also reminds that the largest habitat of marsh turtles in Europe is located on the territory of Latvia.

Monument to Pavel Dubrovin

Residents of Daugavpils know how to love and appreciate people who have done a lot for the development of the city. An example of this is the monument to Pavel Dubrovin. As the mayor of Dinaburg (that’s what Daugavpils was called in the nineteenth century), he made a lot of efforts for its prosperity. And he did a lot at his own expense. In particular, he bought and drained an impressive plot of land on which an excellent park was laid out.

It is in this park, which Dubrovin donated to the people free of charge, that the monument is located. It is made in a non-standard, original manner, depicting a mayor walking with his bulldog.

Tourists' opinions

Do people who visit Daugavpils like the sights? Reviews from tourists are clear confirmation that they like the beauty here. The local buildings and structures are very interesting. Those who come to Daugavpils are especially attracted by the main attractions, namely the Daugavpils Fortress and Murmuiža Castle.

Some interesting places

Tourists should definitely visit local cafes, for example, the cozy Vesma establishment, located on Rigas Street. In addition to excellent service and a wide selection of all kinds of delicious dishes, you can admire the cat sculpture from the window. The European cuisine restaurant Gubernators, Chinese cuisine HappyPanda, Italian CiliPica and Restaurant PLAZA, DvinskaSeta are also famous for their dishes. And most importantly, don’t forget to visit the Sia restaurant Park Hotel Latgola. Latvian cuisine is served here.

Conclusion

Now you can safely go to Daugavpils. Sights, interesting facts about the history of the city, the beauty of nature - what else does a tourist need for unforgettable holiday? This corner of Latvia has all this, which means you won’t be disappointed!

The second largest city in Latvia is Daugavpils- turned out to be a pleasant, quiet town with low-rise buildings in the center and several tall buildings on the outskirts. The city with a population of 100,006 people (as of 01/01/2013) is located at a distance of 232 km from, 296 km from, 46 km from Braslav and 35 km from the Belarusian-Latvian border.

The city was first mentioned in 1275, so in 2015 it celebrates its 740th anniversary. But nothing remains of the original city. Its modern appearance and breakdown into large areas - central part, the right bank of the Daugava, the area behind the railway and the Daugavpils Fortress - the city acquired it much later.

What is surprising is that Daugavpils and Belarus have several things in common interesting facts. We will tell you about them in our articles about the places visited, but for now we will introduce you to generally useful information.

How to get to Daugavpils by transport?

You can get to Daugavpils from Minsk by on the bus twice a day - departure at 09.50 and 21.50. Ticket price - 180,000 rubles. Travel time is 6-7 hours (depending on the speed of crossing the border). By the way, remember that it is strictly prohibited to import dairy and meat products and there is a limit of 2 packs of cigarettes per person. For violating the rules and regulations you will have to pay a fine. The bus stops on the way there in Braslav, on the way back - in Braslav, Sharkovshchina, Glubokoe, Dokshitsy and Begoml.

You can travel from Minsk by train Minsk-Riga, which departs at 21.28 and arrives at 05.48. The train only runs on odd days! The price of a reserved seat is 632,000 rubles, a compartment seat is 1,020,000 rubles (prices are current at the time of writing). Travel time is 8 hours 20 minutes.

If you arrive in Daugavpils on the morning bus at 04.20 in the morning, you will need to make sure that you can be accommodated in a hotel or apartment. Because, you see, at a time like this it’s not very interesting to see anything in the city.

Where to live in Daugavpils?

Among the accommodation options on booking.com there are just over 25 accommodation options. Nice hotels 3* in Daugavpils - Hotel Latgola (Gimnazijas iela 46) and Good Stay Dinaburg Hotel (Dobeles iela 39). With a high degree of probability, there will be free places there at any time and on any day. Prices start from 35 euros per night in a double room.

In Daugavpils you can also look at apartments for a day, find an excellent guest house or stay in a hotel at a gymnasium and medical college.

By the way, in Hotel Latgola there is a Plaza restaurant on the 10th floor, which offers views of the city in all directions. From it you can see Church Hill, and across the railway tracks, and all other parts of the city, and the pedestrian street Rigas. Therefore, we advise you to at least come here and look at the city from above to get an idea of ​​how it works and where everything is. Overall, thanks to the relatively small total area 72.8 km. sq., center of Daugavpils It is compact and can be easily explored on foot. From the railway or bus station to Rigas the journey will take at most 5-7 minutes.

Restaurant PLAZA on the 10th floor of Hotel Latgola

Views from the PLAZA restaurant

If you need to go to another part of the city, you can use trams (there are 3 routes in the city) or buses. From the center you can get to the Daugavpils Fortress and the Mark Rothko Art Center by tram 3.

Where to eat in Daugavpils

You can refresh yourself in Daugavpils around the clock (break from 7 to 9 am) Hesburger(Rigas iela 55), you can have breakfast even on weekends from 7 to 11 am at Hotel Latgola in a restaurant Plaza(buffet breakfast, cost 6 euros). You can dine in Daugavpils in several restaurants, where you can taste both local dishes and European cuisine.

Culinary events often take place in Daugavpils. For example, now 9 establishments in Daugavpils offer special dishes and desserts as part of the Daugavpils Virtuve Festival. For example, you can try the Dinaburg knight soup or carbonade “a la Gagelstrom” and pumpkin wine at the Arsenal cafe, a warm salad of pike perch fillet and the Dinaburg Fortress liqueur at the Plaza restaurant, a rye bread burger with chicken and onions and “ Daugavpils chestnuts" in the restaurant "Daugavpils" and, of course, real Dinaburg beer without preservatives.

For example, in a restaurant Governors(Lacplesis iela 10) you can try both Russian and European cuisine. The prices are quite reasonable and you can have dinner for two for 13-15 euros (a large frying pan of meat, potatoes and sauerkraut) with two glasses of local restaurant beer.

Governors restaurant interior

What to see and what to do in Daugavpils

In general, you can allocate two full days to visit the city - an option for a weekend getaway. Fortunately, the main museums and attractions in the city are open on Saturday and Sunday; you just need to come up with a plan for your walk in advance and somewhere it’s even better to sign up for an excursion. For example, excursions around the Shot Foundry (by the way, great option for those who are not particularly keen fine arts, but wants to learn something useful about the city, and for men it’s not great place- you can shoot at the shooting range) are held as scheduled. Mon and Tue 14.00 and 16.00, Wed, Thu and Fri - 10.00, 12.00, 14.00 and 16.00, Sat and Sun 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16.00 and 17.00. Read about how the Daugavpils Shot Foundry is connected to Belarus in our material:

To visit Daugavpils fortress and get to know it better, we recommend booking an excursion and walking with a guide. But you can do it yourself. IN Art Center named after. Mark Rothko, which is in Artillery Arsenal, the exhibitions are so technically equipped and thought out that you can spend the whole day here and never get tired of discovering new and new pages of art, photographs, ceramics, exhibitions and objects. Even children will not be bored here - there is a special room for them where they can relax, draw and frolic. Read more about the exclusive tour of the Art Center named after. You can read Marco Rothko in our article:

• Alley of benches and Tree of Love.

  On the Daugava embankment at Novembra iela 18 costs memorial sign"Homage to Rothko". This is where Shosseynaya Street used to start, where Mark Rothko’s family lived from 1892 to 1913.

  

  

  

  
  

  And if you walk further down the street Novembra, then you can see Church hill - a place where four cathedrals of different faiths stand side by side - the Martin Luther Cathedral, the Roman Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Boris and Gleb.

  For a holiday in Daugavpils with children you can choose Latgale Zoo and look at boas, monkeys, scorpions and other exotic animals. You can also go to the Pottery Center and get acquainted with the process of processing clay and ceramics.

  Shops in Daugavpils

  Buy souvenirs You can visit the Rothko Art Center, the Shot Foundry or the Ethnographic and Art Museum, as well as in souvenir shops in the city center, in hotels, etc.

  Buy products or things maybe in a shopping center Solo and Ditton Nams, which is located on Parades iela And Saknu. There's a big store behind it Maxima, and on the side of Hotel Latgola located shopping mall with boutiques and shops (open from 08.00 to 22.00). There is a shop next to the bus station Super Netto, where you can buy all the necessary products.

  In general, everyone in the city knows Russian and is fluent in it, so they will always be able to help, suggest something or show the way.

  

  
  If you are thinking about where to go for the weekend (and, mind you, at any time of the year), then you can always look at Daugavpils and its main attractions. Therefore, we recommend this holiday option for those who love art, those who love industrial tourism (because visiting the Shot Foundry is truly very interesting!), walking with children to zoos and just having a great time in other cities. Just 6 hours and you are there! Great plan! ;)