Daugavpils is a city in the south-eastern part of Latvia in Latgale, on the Dvina River. It is the second largest city in the country and is located 232 km from Riga.
MONUMENTS
Daugavpils Fortress
Daugavpils Fortress is a unique architectural and cultural monument of national significance. It is the last bastion-type fortress to be built in Europe. From a bird’s eye view, the fortress resembles the shape of the sun, a star, a turtle, or even a bat. The fortress was built by the Russians in the 19th century, in place of earlier Polish fortifications from the 17th century.
Main Gate of the Daugavpils Fortress
Nicholas gates in Daugavpils fortress were built between years 1821st and 1826th and have been adapted not only for effective defense, but also carried out important communication function with the world outside – the gates belonged to significant European traffic artery – Vienna tract. Nicholas gates were destined to become the front gates of the fortification building.
Rothko Museum
One of the most important museums in all of Latgale is undoubtedly the Daugavpil Museum of Local History and Art. The exhibition is divided into three main parts. The first one focuses on the history of the Daugavpils district. The second one introduces the nature of the region. The third one focuses on the Daugavpils artist Leonīds Baulins – creator of paintings and graphics.
Šmakovek Museum
The Moonshine Museum is a unique place where you can explore the process of making moonshine. Thanks to the modern exhibition, you will learn a little more about the local drink, šmakovka. A great place, not only for connoisseurs.
Daugavpil Museum of Local History and Art
Daugavpils Regional Studies and Art Museum is one of the oldest museums in Latgale, founded in 1938. Located at 8 Rigas Street, in a magnificent building. The facades are decorated with coloured glazed tiles, and the entrances have openwork metal roofs covered by glass. Each entrance is guarded by two sculptures of lions. The museum has the room of the Daugavpils painter Leonid Baulin. The museum offers cultural, historical and nature displays. The Daugavpils museum history exhibition mainly focuses one the events related to the Dinaburg castle built in the 13th century and Dinaburg fortress built in 1810-1878.
Cathedral of Saints Boris and Gleb
The Cathedral of Saints Boris and Gleb is a 16th-century Orthodox cathedral. The first church on the site of the present cathedral was built in the 12th century, of which only fragments of the foundations remain. The present church was founded in 1517 by Lithuanian Prince Konstanty Ostrogski and Metropolitan Joseph Soltan. In the 17th century, the church passed into the hands of the Uniates (Greek Catholics). The church returned to the Orthodox Christians after the dissolution of the Union in the annexed territories in 1839. The church was rebuilt by the Russians in the years 1873-1875 in the pseudo-Russian style. The building remained in use until 1961 when it was closed down and adapted for an archive. The Russian Orthodox Church received the church in 1996.
LAKE
Lielais Strop
You will find many lakes around Daugavpils. However, the most important is Lielais Strop, which is located north-east of the city center. This is where there is a swimming area and a beach awarded with the Blue Flag. You will find a lot of amenities here – a walking promenade, volleyball courts and a playground.
PARK
Dubrovin Park
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 Tarzāns
In Daugavpils, near Lielais Stropu Ezers lake, there is a tourist attraction – adventure park “Daugavpils Tarzāns”. Obstacle park is suitable for children as well as for adults for active leisure. It will be interesting for both children and adults, since the tracks are tailored to different interests. The park consists of 6 obstacle tracks with different degrees of difficulty.
The green track is an adventure track for children with 16 different obstacles. For adults this will be a proper warm-up before going up higher.
The blue track with simple obstacles, raised up to 5 m above ground level, will also allow more cautious people to finish the track.
The red track is set 10 m above the ground and includes a jump in the net with Tarzāns rope, flying skateboard and other exciting obstacles.
The black track suits for those who seek challenges. This track requires physical strength and coordination since there are 14 high intensity obstacles 12 m above the ground.
ZOO
Latgale Zoo
The Zoo of Latgale is a small municipal zoo located near the city center. Here, in the artificial jungle, spotted pythons crawl, caimans bask on the shore, red koi carps swim in the pond, live macaques and marsupial sugar possums jump on the vines, and many other tropical animals swim, whistle, prowl, jump and fly. Children can also pet the fluffy bunny, play with cute guinea pigs and feed the little fish swimming in the jungle pond.
