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Daugavpils Fortress
The only early 19th century fortress inEastern Europe that has remained virtually unchanged. An outstanding fortification that occupies more than 150 ha. A zigzag line of fortifications is formed by a rampart with 8 bastions, 6 ravelins, 6 counterguards and other protective structures: lunettes, redoubts and a moat. On the left bank of theDaugavaRiver there is a bridgehead. Each detail of the fortress was developed using the construction experience of the best architectural schools of Tsarist Russia andEurope. Inside the fortress was planned as a traditional military town: in the centre there was a parade ground, surrounded by blocks of administrative and residential buildings. All the facades of the buildings represent the Empire style, except Nickolas Gate and the water tower built in the Gothic style.
Culture and Information Centre of Daugavpils Fortress
Services:
- Ordering the excursion for Daugavpils (Dinaburg) Fortress observing
- Possibility to observe Water pumping house
- Information about the projects in the territory of the Fortress
- Wi-Fi Internet access
- Telephone in case of emergency
Open hours:
Monday 08.00 – 18.00
Tuesday 08.00 – 17.00
Wednesday 08.00 – 17.00
Thursday 08.00 – 17.00
Friday 08.00 – 16.00
Saturday closed
Sunday closed
Lunch hour 12.00 – 13.00
Contact information:
Address: Nikolaja iela 5, Daugavpils cietoksnis, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvija
Fortress Administrator Janis Dukshinskis
Phone: +371 654 24 043, +371 2 940 55 02
Fax: +371 654 24 042
e-mail: janis.duksinskis@daugavpils.lv
Expert on project issues Artyom Makhlin
Phone: +371 654 24 043, +371 2 935 41 15
Fax: +371 654 24 042
e-mail: artjoms.mahlins@daugavpils.lv
Twitter: @Daugavpils_fort
Church Hill
Each traveler who wants to get acquainted withDaugavpilsshould definitely visit the Church Hill that has gathered the churches of four different confessions. Martin Luther Cathedral designed by V. Neimanis was built in 1893. Roman Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built in 1902, and 7 years later it acquired an organ created by A. Homan fromPoland. SS Boris and Gleb Russian Orthodox Cathedral was built in 1905 as a garrison church. Church of the Community of Old Believers was built in 1908–1928.
Unity House
The dominating structure of the historical centre is the Unity House built during the years of theFirstRepublic(22aRigas Street). The Unity House was constructed at the suggestion of the country’s president Karlis Ulmanis using donations and funds provided by the state. The corner stone was laid in 1936, and on December 19, 1937, the blessing of the building and the opening ceremony took place. The Unity House was designed by the architect Verners Vitands. It was the most modern multifunctional building in Europe.
Andrejs Pumpurs Public Garden
Located opposite the Unity House. Created in the second half of the 19th century. The public garden contains a bust of the poet Andrejs Pumpurs created by I. Krumina in 1966. The most popular meeting place for the residents ofDaugavpils is the fountain “A Girl with a Lily” in the centre of the garden. The garden also contains St. Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Chapel and a monument to innocent victims of the Red Terror (by Y. Volkova).
St. Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Chapel
Consecrated in 2004. Located in A. Pumpurs public garden (20 Saules Street) on the former site of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (1864–1961). In Soviet times, in 1961, the cathedral was closed and in 1962 – demolished. The chapel is a memorial structure that has a symbolic meaning, serving as a reminder of the demolished cathedral.
Daugavpils University Public Garden
Located at13 Vienibas Street, it is rather a small square in front of the education building of theDaugavpilsUniversity. The features of the square are a small fountain, a bust of the poet Janis Rainis (by I. Folkmanis, 1966) and a sundial. The sundial was created in 1910 (designed by A. Yaskov, a teacher of the non-classical secondary school).
Sundial
Located in theDaugavpilsUniversitypublic garden. The sundial was created in 1910 (designed by A. Yaskov, a teacher of the non-classical secondary school). The sundial is affixed to the quadrangular pedestal. The lines of the dial correspond to the geographical latitude ofDaugavpils– 56˚.
Dubrovin Park
Located between Rigas and Parades Streets. The development of the park was actively supported by Pavel Dubrovin (1839–1890), who was the city mayor from 1876 to 1890. The park was named after its creator, and not far from the fountain there is a monument to P. Dubrovin – a bronze figure, about two metres tall (by A. Taratynov, 2007). In the sultry heat of summer nothing is more pleasant than to feel the refreshing coolness of the fountain, while in the evenings one can admire a fantastic play of water and light.
Daugavpils Regional Studies and Art Museum
One of the oldest museums in Latgale, founded in 1938. Located at 8 Rigas Street, in a magnificent eclectic building with the elements of Jugendstil, constructed in 1883. Each entrance is guarded by two sculptures of lions. The museum has the room of the world-famous painter Mark Rothko and the room of the Daugavpilspainter Leonid Baulin. The museum offers cultural, historical and nature displays. www.dnmm.lv
8 Rigas Street, Daugavpils
Phone: +371 65424155
E-mail: museum@apollo.lv
Fax: +371 65422709
WEB: www.dnmm.lv
Monday closed
Tuesday closed
Wednesday 10.00 - 18.00
Thursday 10.00 - 18.00
Friday 10.00 - 18.00
Saturday 10.00 - 18.00
Sunday 10.00 - 16.00
St. Peter’s in Chains Roman Catholic Church
Located at39 Rigas Street. Built in 1848–1849, rebuilt in 1924–1934. The architecture of the church has certain features of Classicism. It has some resemblance to St. Peter’s Basilica inVatican. The main dome of the white church is supported by four double pillars.
Garden of Sculptures
Located between St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church andMihoelsa Street. The garden is decorated with the works of Latvian sculptors and magnificent carpets of flowers.
Synagogue
Daugavpils synagogue Kadish built in 1850 is located at38 Cietoksna Street. It is a corner building in the central part of the city with the facades facing Lacplesa and Cietoksna Streets. The museum “The Jews of Daugavpils and Latgalia” is located on the 2nd floor of the synagogue that is open to visitors on preliminary request by phone +371 29548760
Museum "Jewish of Daugavpils and Latgale"
38 Cietoksna Street,Daugavpils
GSM: +371 29548760
E-mail: rochko@inbox.lv
Museum working hours: on preliminary applications
The Centre of Russian Culture (Russian House)
The Centre of Russian Culture offers unique expositions: “Old Believers in Latvia”, “The Orthodox in Latvia”, “Pictures by Pyotr Khudobchenok”, “Gzhel Ceramics”, “Khokhloma Ware”. There is also a garden of sculptures – “Fairytale Courtyard” – with 17 sculptures of Russian fairytale characters. They were created by Pyotr Khudobchenok, a painter and sculptor, whose works were presented to Pope Ian Pavel II, Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev and George Bush. Address: 11 Tautas Street, tel.: +371 65437936
11 Tautas Street, Daugavpils
Phone: +371 65437936
E-mail: rusdom@inbox.lv
WEB: http://rusdom.ucoz.lv/
Monday 9:00 – 18:00
Tuesday 9:00 – 18:00
Wednesday 9:00 – 18:00
Thursday 9:00 – 18:00
Friday 9:00 – 18:00
Saturday on preliminary applications
Sunday , on preliminary applications
Daugavpils Clay Art Centre
18 Novembra Street, Daugavpils
GSM: +371 29241488
GSM: +371 28340514
Monday closed
Tuesday closed
Wednesday 12.00 - 18.00
Thursday 12.00 - 18.00
Friday 12.00 - 18.00
Saturday 12.00 - 18.00
Sunday 12.00 - 16.00
Every Thursday 12.00 - 14.00 - master class by potters
Latgale Zoo
Here, in the artificially created jungles, a visitor can see spotted pythons, spectacled caimans bathing in the sun, red koi carps swimming in the ponds, playful macaques and sugar gliders jumping in the lianas and other swimming, whistling, crawling, hopping and flying tropical creatures. Children can stroke a furry rabbit, play with touching guinea-pigs and feed exotic fishes in the pond. Latgale Zoo is open for visitors every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Monday and Tuesday. Address: 27 Vienibas Street, +371 65426789, http://latgaleszoo.biology.lv
27 Vienibas Street, Daugavpils
Phone: +37165426789
GSM: +37129713005
E-mail: eco@apollo.lv
WEB: http://latgaleszoo.biology.lv
Monday closed
Tuesday closed
Wednesday 10.00 - 18.00
Thursday 10.00 - 18.00
Friday 10.00 - 18.00
Saturday 10.00 - 18.00
Sunday 10.00 - 18.00
Latvian House
22a Rigas Street, +371 29461765
You can explore the handicrafts, rustic tools, household items of Daugavpils district of 19 and early 20 centuries, look at weaving and spinning, as well as look at an apartment of Daugavpils resident of the prosperous middle class of the 20 century. Knowledgeable storytellers will meet you. The entrance from Saules Street
Latvian House is open on Wednesdays (11:00 – 18:00) and Saturdays (11:00 – 16:00).
Daugavpils Lead Shot Factory
The only one available for tourists ammunition plant in the Baltic States, where is the oldest shot tower inEurope, that still works. Examination of historical devices of the lead casting, with which molten lead gets the ideal bullet shape, falling from a height of 40 meters. There is the historical exposition of hunting ammunition. After the excursion everyone can try products in the factory dash. Note: excursions are not conducted during the runtime of the factory orders.
Address: 28 Varsavas Street,Daugavpils
E-mail: info@dsr.lv
Phone: 2-77-666-55
www.dsr.lv
