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Daugavpils is Latvia’s second largest city (116 000 inhabitants), and is situated about 230 km south-east of Riga, along the Lithuanian and Belarusian borders.
The city was established around the Dinaburg Fortress, built by the Livonian Order of German Knights in 1275. Daugavpils developed on the crossroads of various cultures and religions. For centuries, it was ruled by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and later the Russian Empire took control.
Over the centuries, city development was strongly influenced by large Russian Old Believer and Jewish populations. During the 18-19th centuries many Jewish people were deported to the Russian Empire borders. Now, Daugavpils is primarily a Russian city as the remaining old Jewish families were killed during Word War II.
Daugavpils is a spacious, green city with a delightfully provincial charm. Despite its quaint atmosphere and low prices, the city possesses fully modern services. Over the last decade an ice-hall, bowling centre, diverse entertainment centres and up-to-date hotels have been built.
Daugavpils Fortress (Early 19th Century): This is the only fortress of its kind within the Baltic States that has been preserved without significant changes.
Historical City Centre: The centre is bound to amaze the visitor, with its architectural diversity and unique brick building facades, sometimes termed “Latgalian Baroque”. It has an Orthodox cathedral, late 19th and early 20th century Catholic and Lutheran churches, as well as the biggest building erected during the first Republic of Latvia – The Concord house.
Nature Park “Daugavas Loki”: Visitors discover pristine nature along the picturesque banks of the Daugava River, which reaches heights of 40 metres in some areas. This park also contains the ruins of the 13th century Dinaburg fortress, and is located on the Daugavpils Kraslava road.
Forest Landscape Park “Pilskalnes Siguldina”: Enjoy an outdoor excursion by exploring the informative trails and hiking tracks where one can discover original wooden sculptures along the landscape. The park is situated in Pilskalne, not far from Daugavpils.
Daugavpils Theatre (LV, RU)
City Center – entertainment centre and bowling (LV, RU, EN)
Ice-hall (LV)
A new modern three-star hotel is situated in the very centre of the city. Near the hotel there is a railway station and a central bus station, the best entertainment centres.
By train: Riga-Daugavpils trains operate four times a day; Riga-Gomel, and Russia trains also operate – see the schedule on the train station link (LV, EN, RU)
By bus: Buses leave every two hours – see the schedule on the bus station link (LV, EN, RU, DE)
By car: The drive takes three to three and half hours
Daugavpils Tourism Information Centre
Rigas iela 22a, tel: +371 542 28 18, fax: +371 542 28 18
Official Daugavpils Website (LV, EN, RU)
Informative and entertaining Daugavpils website (RU)
Daugavpils unofficial website (RU)
Photo: photo.tramvaj.ru
