21-01-2013

Information and tourism centre provides information on activities performed in the Daugavpils fortress during the last year

2012 was a year of an intensive work in theDaugavpilsfortress - several projects have been implemented, which made the working process and attracting of tourism more difficult. ‘Nevertheless the plans for this year are even more ambitious’, tell Jānis Dukšinskis - the administrator of theDaugavpilsfortress and Artjoms Mahlins – expert on project issues.

Though due to implementation of the large scale infrastructure projects many big events could not be arranged, still some conferences, events in the framework of the European Cultural Heritage days took place. On January 21st certificates of recognition have been awarded by the State Inspection for Heritage Protection for profesional organisation of activities during the European Cultural Heritage days. There are several enthusiasts of the Fortress, who volunteer for helping at organizing of festive events, therefore certificates of recognition were awarded to 3 volunteers - Ivars Magazeinis, Māris Grunskis and Aleksandrs Dmitrijevs, who are also actively working in the field of research and work with tourists.

11 municipal projects have been implemented at theDaugavpilsfortress, for the total amount of 5.5 million lats. Implementation of 2 projects - reconstruction of streets and reconstruction of Nikolay’s gate and street has been continued. At the same time the state project – building of a complex for the needs of police has been implemented as well. Thus the total amount of the investments attracted to the Daugavpils Fortress in the recent four years reach 20.5 million lats.

There is a tendency for number of tourists visiting the Fortress to increase.  According to the data of the Fortress Information and Tourism center, the Fortress is visited by tourists the whole year, the biggest increase in number of visitors is from May to October.

In May 2012 1011 tourists visited the Fortress, in June – 1123, in July – 1654, August - 1339, September – 983. The total number of visitors in 2012 is 7276. Tourists were mainly fromLatvia,Russia,Lithuania,GermanyandPoland.

In 2013 Information and Tourism centre is planning to participate in organization of Culture Heritage Days, motto of which will be: schools as cultural monuments. The Fortress has something with which it can introduce itself, because Jesuit Gymnasium, secondary school №4, and elementary school №2 has been located on the territory of the Fortress. This year there will be 180 years since the construction and consecration of the rampart of the Fortress. It is planned to participate in celebration of ‘Lāčplēsis day’ (November 11). Of course, the Fortress will be involved in the festive events of the City Festival, the Night of Museums and the Tourism conference.

There are big plans concerning the Fortress park, but at meantime the issue has been discussed with the government because the park belongs to the Ministry of Finance. But it is already possible to enjoy winter in the park– there is a skating ring or you can take a walk around the Fortress, because the routes are maintained.

As the Municipality is not the only owner of property in the territory of the Fortress a successful cooperation with different institutions for the development of the Fortress has been established. It is planned to establish a Council in order to bring together experts and representatives of the institutions for common work at the development of this unique object. State Real Estate Agency also actively joins the work. In February a meeting of the working group will take place and the work with the Ministries concerning more active use of buildings for the needs of the State will be resumed.

Information has been prepared by Līga Korsaka, press secretary o fDaugavpils City council