Daugavpils

Daugavpils is one of the few cities in Latvia that can boast a unified ensemble of both classical and eclectic styles. According to ancient etymology, the word Daug-ava means a lot, and Daugavpils is indeed a watery city that is rich in languages, culture and denominations.

The city was founded in 1275 by Livonian Knights at the important crossroads of medieval trade routes. The city has changed its name several times: Dinaburg (1275-1656, 1667-1893), Borisoglebsk (1656-1667), Dvinsk (1893-1920), Daugavpils (from 1920).

The original Livonian castle was attacked, destroyed and rebuilt several times until 1577 when Ivan the Terrible captured the castle after a two-week siege and razed it to the ground. The construction of a new fortress 19 kilometers downstream of the Daugava was ordered by the tsar. This new fortress was completely destroyed during the Great Northern War around 1720. 

Now Daugavpils offers modern amenities and services. In the last 10 years an ice rink, a bowling center and modern hotels have been built in Daugavpils and various entertainment facilities have sprung up all over the city, waiting for you to try them!

55° 52′ 30″ N, 26° 32′ 8″ E 

Daugavpils, the second-largest city in Latvia, is located on the banks of the Daugava River in the southeastern part of the country, 232 kilometers away from Riga, the capital of Latvia.

The nearest airport is in the capital Riga. From there you have to take land transport to the southeast.

"Latvijas dzelzceļš" (Latvian Railways) runs the Riga-Daugavpils route four times a day. Riga-Gomel and Russia trains also run several times a day. On the weekends, there are several trains to/from Vilnius in a rather uncomfortable Soviet-style train.

Rīgas Starptautiskā autoosta (Riga Bus Station) operates buses from Riga to Daugavpils every two hours.

The drive from Riga takes 3 to 3 1/2 hours. There is an international highway called E262 from Kaunas, Lithuania, which crosses Daugavpils and leads to Russia.

1. There are 450 streets in Daugavpils.
2. Daugavpils is a town in southeastern Latvia, located on the banks of Daugava River, from which the town takes its name.
3. Daugavpils is the second-largest city in the country after the capital Riga.
4. There are about 14 lakes in Daugavpils.
5. The history of the city began in 1275 when the Livonian Order built the Dunaburg.
6. Daugavpils is twinned with: Alaverdi (Armenia), Babruysk (Belarus), Batumi (Georgia), and other many cities.
7. In 1582, Daugavpils was granted city rights.
8. The population of Daugavpils is 82,604 as of 2019.
9. Five times in recent years Daugavpils has changed its name. From 1275 to 1656 it was known as Dunaburg, from 1656 to 1667 as Borisoglesk, from 1667 to 1893 as Dinaburg, from 1893 to 1920 as Dvinsk, and from 1920 to the present as Daugavpils.
10. On April 16, 2010, an assassin shot and killed Grigorijs Ņemcovs, the deputy mayor, in the center of the city. He died almost immediately and the crime remains unsolved.

The architecture of the church has certain features of classicism. It has a certain resemblance to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The main dome of the white church is supported by four double columns.

It is located between St. Peter's Basilica Roman Catholic Church and Mihoelsa Street. The garden is decorated with the works of Latvian sculptors and magnificent floral carpets.

This is the only early 19th-century fortress in Eastern Europe, which has remained virtually unchanged. An outstanding fortification, occupying more than 150 hectares. Every detail of the fortress was developed using the building experience of the best architectural schools of Tsarist Russia and Europe.

Here, in the artificially created jungles, visitors can see spotted pythons, spectacled caimans bathing in the sun, red koi carp swimming in the ponds, playful macaques and sugar gliders jumping on the vines, and other swimming, whistling, crawling, hopping and flying tropical creatures. Children can pet a furry rabbit, play with petting guinea pigs and feed exotic fish in the pond.

Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Center is a multifunctional complex for contemporary art, culture and education, located in the Arsenal building on Daugavpils Fortress. It is the only place in Eastern Europe where the original masterpieces of the famous painter and the founder of abstract expressionism Mark Rothko can be seen.

The largest and most modern Shmakovka Museum in Latvia. The museum offers a modern and attractive story about the oldest Latvian alcoholic drink. Refined over many centuries, Shmakovka is an integral part of the culinary heritage. It is possible to learn the process of Shmakovka production with the help of the latest technologies. Everyone can see real and impressive production equipment. Souvenirs and Shmakovka tastings are offered for visitors.

The average temperatures in Daugavpils vary drastically. Taking humidity into account, temperatures are cold about half the year and otherwise pleasant with a chance of rain or snow during most of the year. You can visit Daugavpils all year round, just be prepared for non-discussants!

Arabika is a popular post-Soviet-style café, reminiscent of the bygone Latvian era with its bold colors and simple furniture. Local produce is used here to create uncomplicated cuisine. The fragrant mushroom soup is particularly popular and the ingredients actually grow in the on-site garden. There's also a range of international dishes, including fresh Greek salads and spicy Indian curries.

When you enter Lidadis Park, you feel more like you're in a hunting lodge than a restaurant. Customers can choose from a range of meat stews, pizzas and lighter snacks here, and the restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner.

The Latvian word for "snail," Gliemezis is exactly how you'd imagine a hip Russian café to be in the 1990s. Tattered sofas and amateur artwork create a trendy dorm room feel. Students are common here and are often seen studying with a coffee in hand. A top spot to relax in the city. Enjoy life at a snail's pace here and relax with a colorful cocktail or fruity drink, with snacks like meat sandwiches and homemade fries. Don't miss the Friday nights when the place is filled to capacity.

Gubernators is a quaint, underground establishment that offers visitors an authentic taste of Latvia, with traditional wooden furniture, Latvian or Russian menus, and tasty cuisine centered on sumptuous seafood. Thanks to Latvia's proximity to the Baltic Sea, fish dishes are often served here. Gubernators is the place to enjoy your first taste of fresh seafood. Try the fish soup or salmon salad and perhaps pair them with roast potatoes or perfectly steamed vegetables.

Homelike Hotel is located in the heart of Daugavpils city. Therefore, guests can enjoy meals at local restaurants, have a drink at a local bar, shop and use other local amenities that are right outside the hotel's door.

For accommodation, Silene Resort & Spa offers comfortable villas with all modern amenities, free Wi-Fi and individual parking, cozy rooms in their hotel, as well as equipped sites for camping.

The hotel offers comfortable rooms, a cozy restaurant, a smoking salon, billiards, Russian and Turkish baths, a Jacuzzi, rooms for seminars and conferences, as well as banquet halls for various celebrations.

In the recreation complex "Virogna" you can go swimming or fishing, take a boat ride or a ride on a water bike, or just sit by the lake and spend a night in comfortable cottages surrounded by pine forest. There are also wide possibilities to organize sports and recreational activities for companies and organizations with up to 400 people.