Daugavpils from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Daugavpils.
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The second largest Latvian city, Daugavpils, has been renamed four times in its history. And although its original history originated from the Dinaburg fortress, which belonged to the Livonian Order, subsequently the city passed “from hand to hand” to Lithuanians, Poles, and Russians. The fusion of stories, cultures and destinies has created a special atmosphere and charm in the modern city of the Latgale region.
Search for air tickets to Riga (the nearest airport to Daugavpils)
How to get there
Every day, 4 trains (4 hours on the way) and 8 buses (every 2 hours, 3 hours 30 minutes on the way; www.autoosta.lv) go from Riga to Daugavpils. You can also get there by bus from Rezekne (every 7 hours, 2 hours travel time) and Aglona (3 trips daily, 1 hour 30 minutes). The route schedule from Daugavpils can be viewed on the official website www.buspark.lv. Trains also run from Gomel, St. Petersburg and Vilnius (3 trains daily, 3 hours travel time).
The nearest airport is in Riga, but the Latvian authorities promise to soon open flights to Daugavpils itself.
The journey by car from Riga will take about 3 hours. There is also an international highway E262 running from Lithuania (Kaunas) to Russia.
Popular hotels in Daugavpils
Entertainment and attractions of Daugavpils
The main pearl of Daugavpils is its fortress, which today is the largest in all of Europe. This architectural structure was built at the beginning of the 19th century to fortify the borders of the Russian Empire and in its lifetime has seen and survived many wars and battles.
All buildings in the historical center of the city belong to the “Latgalian Baroque” - the buildings are distinguished by their unique shape and red brick facades with various decoration elements. For example, the building of the city local history museum with an openwork pattern on the arch of the front doors, which was built in the 2nd half of the 19th century using multi-colored tiles. Also in the center you can look at the Jaunbūve church ensemble on Church Hill, consisting of an Orthodox cathedral, a Lutheran church and a Catholic church (all buildings from the late 19th - early 20th centuries). Rigas is considered the central street of Daugavpils, along which there are 80 architectural monuments. In the 80s of the last century it became the first pedestrian street in Latvia. Between Rigas and Saules streets, the Unity House was built in the mid-20th century, which today houses a library, theater, shops, cafes, and a bank. All major city events take place here.
For detailed information on “what to see and where to go”, as well as all the events and performances in the city, go to the Daugavpils Tourist Information Center: Rigas Street, 22a.
At the end of the 19th century, the head of the city, Pavel Dubrovin, created a 3-hectare park in the center of Daugavpils - today this park bears the name of its founder and is a favorite vacation spot for all citizens. In the north-eastern part of the city, Stropi, in the area of Lake Lielais Stropu there is a popular recreational area. Daugavpils is also proud of its sports complex with the Ice Palace and the largest open-air swimming pool in the Baltic states.
On the road from Daugavpils to Kraslava, on the picturesque banks of the Daugava River, the Daugavas Loki National Park is located. On its territory, a model of the Dinaburg fortress of the 13th century was built, which marked the beginning of the history of the city. Also not far from Daugavpils, in the town of Pilskalne, there is the Pilskalnes Siguldina forest landscape park with educational trails and themed wooden figurines.
In general, Daugavpils, like no other Latvian city, is surrounded by water and forest resources: 15 lakes, 8 rivers, countless streams and 10,000 hectares of forests and parks.
Daugavpils is the second largest Latvian city. The history of the settlement, located on the Daugava River, goes back to the 80s of the 13th century, when representatives of the knightly Livonian order founded a castle on the river bank. The first name of the castle is Dinaburg. Subsequently, it changed more than once, until finally the city began to be called Daugavpils.
In addition to changing the name of the castle, there was also a change of owners: Lithuanians, then Poles, and then Russians. Different nations, different cultures - all this has given modern Daugavpils a unique charm and atmosphere. The unique location of the city surrounded by green spaces, a variety of entertainment, attractions and reasonable prices attract travelers from different countries to Daugavpils, Latvia.
The bulk of Russian tourists get to Daugavpils from Riga. Relocation options:
Bus
Buses depart daily from the capital of Latvia to Daugavpils. About five flights depart in the morning: from 7:30 to 14:30. In the evening you can leave at 18:05 and 20:20.
In addition to routes directly to Daugavpils, you can use a bus going, for example, to Vitebsk, Gomel or Kyiv. They also have a stop in Daugavpils.
The starting point of the buses is Riga International Station. Travel time is about 4 hours. The cost of a bus ticket to Daugavpils is 9 euros. They can be purchased at the bus station ticket office or online (for selected flights) on the website www.autoosta.lv. You can also check the current schedule here; a Russian version is available.
Train
Rail service on the route Riga - Daugavpils cannot be called convenient or economical. There are several reasons for this:
1. Schedule. The train from Riga to Daugavpils leaves the capital once every two days at 20:20. The train departs from the Riga-Passageriu station.
2. Ticket price – 17 euros. Tickets can be purchased at the station ticket office or on the country's railway website www.ldz.lv.
The journey by train takes 2 hours 45 minutes, which is an hour less than by bus. And this is perhaps the only advantage of this type of move.
Automobile
When going to Daugavpils, you can follow the highways: P 73 or E 22+A 6 or E 22+P 63. The most optimal option in terms of time is the P 73 highway, in this case the distance will be 225 km and can be covered in an average of 3 hours.
Other options for driving by car will take longer, although the trip in this case will be accompanied by picturesque surrounding landscapes and a huge temptation to stop the car and take memorable photographs.
Best time to relax
Holidays in Daugavpils are not associated with the beach season, so you can visit the city at any time of the year. The main thing is to choose the right clothes to prevent freezing or, conversely, overheating.
In the winter months, the average daily temperature is 5 degrees, in summer the air warms up to 20-22 degrees, rarely up to 26. The rainiest months are July and September, the number of rainy days can reach up to 13 per month.
Where to stay?
Daugavpils is a major tourist center. There are hotels of different star levels in the city, there are mini-hotels, apart-hotels, large complexes, including hotels of global chains. Accommodation prices vary, the minimum cost is about 2000 rubles per room.
It is possible to book private apartments. The most convenient way to do this is to use the service www.airbnb.com.
Where to eat?
Numerous restaurants and cafes in the city offer visitors dishes from various cuisines of the world: European, Eastern and others. There are French pastry shops, Italian pizzerias, and fast food establishments. And, of course, there are restaurants that serve exclusively local Latvian cuisine.
City residents say that when in Daugavpils you should definitely try fish in a local cafe. It is better to choose trout or mackerel. Lunch or dinner in an inexpensive restaurant will cost an average of 9 euros per person. Add a cup of coffee or a glass of beer to lunch - 1 euro.
What to see?
The main historical attraction of Daugavpils is the ancient fortress, which, by the way, is the largest in Europe. Built in the 19th century, the fortress was used as a military base and was attacked more than once.
Interesting. Construction of the fortress lasted almost seven decades. In fact, by the time construction was completed, in 1878, it was already considered obsolete. Bastion-type fortresses were no longer built in Europe.
Today, restoration work is being carried out on the territory of the fortress and in some buildings. The gates, bridge area, arsenal, cannon and a number of other premises have already been restored. Entrance to the territory is free. Within the walls of the fortress there are volunteers - enthusiasts who enthusiastically tell visitors the history of the fortress.
Art Center named after. Mark Rothko
On the territory of the fortress, in the arsenal building, there is a Marco Rothko art gallery. The museum is small. There is a permanent exhibition of works by Rothko himself; in parallel, temporary exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, ceramics and other areas are organized. There are interesting interactive art objects.
Studying the permanent exhibitions is accompanied by quiet music; a nice bonus is the well-groomed museum grounds. By the way, in addition to the art center, there is a cafe and a hotel in the building. Entrance to the art center is paid; a ticket for a family of 4 people will cost 14 euros.
City museums
The M. Rothko Art Center is not the only one in Daugavpils. While walking along the streets of the city, you can visit the following museums:
1. Local history and art museum. The name speaks for itself: the halls of the museum contain exhibits telling about the history of the city. If finances allow, pay for the services of a guide; with him, visiting the museum will be truly educational and will allow you to form a holistic picture of the emergence and development of Daugavpils. By the way, not only the museum exhibits are interesting. The building itself, built at the end of the 19th century, has a unique openwork pattern on the front doors, and the facade is decorated with multi-colored tiles.
2. Shmakovka Museum. Shmakovka is a local strong drink, which the guide or interactive screens at the exhibits will enthusiastically tell visitors about. In addition to learning about the history of the drink and the manufacturing process, museum guests can taste the shmakovka itself (for a fee).
3. Museum of military equipment and Sventie manor. It is interesting that all the equipment is on the move. You can climb into the exhibits, put on helmets and take memorable photos. The estate located next to the museum is interesting for its interior decoration and interiors. Both properties are located in a small village surrounded by nature.
Cityscapes
The central street of Daugavpils is Rigas. There are about 80 architectural monuments along it. Thus, at the junction of two streets Rigas and Saules, the House of Unity was erected, where most city events are organized today, a theater, a library, shopping boutiques and cafeterias operate there.
The so-called Church Hill, rising in the heart of the city, is interesting. It houses an Orthodox cathedral, a Catholic church and a Lutheran church. All buildings date from the late 19th – early 20th centuries.
Parks and recreation areas
Daugavpils is the only Latvian city bordered by a large number of reservoirs and forests. There are also park areas in the city that deserve attention.
1. Dubrovina Park. At the end of the 19th century, city mayor Pavel Dubrovin allocated 3 hectares of land for a park area. Today it is the most popular leisure place for city residents.
2. Recreational area by the lake Lielais Stropu.
3. National park Daugavas loki. It is located on the route from Daugavpils to Kraslava, directly on the banks of the Daugava River. A model of the Dinaburg fortress is installed here.
4. Landscape forest park Pilskalnes Siguldina. It is located near Daugavpils in the town of Pilskalne. The park lands are equipped with walking trails and thematic figures and wooden signs have been installed.
Visiting local natural areas and parks is a great opportunity to escape from the bustle of the city.
How to have fun?
Do you have some free time and don’t want to visit museums or stroll through parks? Daugavpils offers a number of standard city pastimes:
1. Visit to the Renaissance cinema.
2. Bowling in one of two bowling clubs.
3. Skating at the ice palace.
4. Swimming in the outdoor pool, available in summer.
5. Skiing. A suitable place is Mount Eglyukalns near Daugavpils, suitable for vacationers in winter.
What should I bring?
Those wishing to purchase memorable items and souvenirs should visit one of the city’s art studios. Visiting them is an opportunity to see the process of creating a masterpiece, watch the refined actions of a master or artist and, of course, purchase the work you like. Daugavpils has pottery studios, sculpture workshops and art galleries.
It must be said that the city authorities support such studios and local artists. Exhibitions of local artists and craftsmen are periodically organized, including at the M. Roscoe Art Center.
By the way, the pottery studio is worth a visit for travelers with children. In some, under the guidance of a professional, each family member can make a unique product, which will further remind of an educational trip to the Latvian city of 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 of the Russian Empire in 1772, and since 1802 it has been a district town of the 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 by 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, the personnel of the evacuated Finnish Embassy in Moscow proceeded through the city by rail 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 the regional center of the 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 Daugavpils TV tower, 180 meters high, 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 an 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, which will be transformed into an airport of national importance.
Daugavpils University
Daugavpils is home to both public and private universities, a theater that hosts performances in Russian and Latvian, and 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 your free time in Daugavpils there is an Ice Palace, a bowling center in the 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, you can visit the Eglyukalns ski resort, located near Daugavpils. Since September 11, 2009, the six-hall Silver Screen cinema with 1,200 seats has been available in the city, which is currently 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 center. 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.
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. The city acquired its modern appearance and division into large areas - the central part, the right bank of the Daugava, the area behind the railway and the Daugavpils Fortress - much later.
What is surprising is that Daugavpils and Belarus have several interesting facts in common. 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 forbidden to import dairy and meat products into Latvia 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. Good 3* hotels in Daugavpils are 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 of 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.
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| Restaurant PLAZA on the 10th floor of Hotel Latgola |
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| 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
You can have a nice lunch with beautiful views in a historical place in the cafe Arsenals, which is located in (Mihaila iela 3).
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, a great option for those who are not particularly keen on fine arts, but want to learn something useful about the city, and for men it’s a great place to 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 located 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 there is a 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 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 there is a shopping center 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! ;)
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 in spite of all adversity.
Daugavpils Fortress
Arriving in Daugavpils, you definitely need to see the sights of the city. The calling card of 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, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected 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 an Orthodox Church of the Old Believers - the Church of the Resurrection, Nativity of the Virgin Mary and St. Nicholas. In addition to religious buildings on the 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. While inferior to the menageries of large cities in area, it nevertheless surpasses many of them in the 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
Wonderful corners of nature are highly recommended for viewing: 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, an observation tower was built, from where a marvelous panorama of the area opens up.
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 and 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 piece of 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 the existing 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. Moreover, 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 of this place. 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 restaurant Sia 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, natural beauty - what else does a tourist need for an unforgettable vacation? This corner of Latvia has all this, which means you won’t be disappointed!
