Daugavpils

Daugavpils is situated in the south-east of Latvia, 232km from Riga. It is only 25km from Lithuania and 35km from Belarus. The town is divided in half by the River Daugava and is surrounded by woods and cultivated land. 

From Antiquity to Modernity

Daugavpils was granted the rights of a town in 1582. However, it was already used for trade and military needs long before that. Over the centuries its name was changed repeatedly until in 1920 it became the Daugavpils that we know today.

The town, with Dinaburg Castle at its very heart, was founded by the Livonian Order and has been ruled over Poles, Swedes, Russians, and Germans. The history has left its mark on Daugavpils, in its architecture, the diversity of its residents, and its culture.

 Nowadays, in terms of population, Daugavpils is the second-largest town after Riga which makes it an important economic, cultural and tourism centre and a home for one of the biggest regional universities.

Sights

• Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre - the only place in Eastern Europe that displays the painter’s original work. It is an international art complex that is located in a historic location - Daugavpils Fortress itself.
• Daugavpils Fortress is a remarkable landmark, one that occupies an area of 2km2. It has an air of centuries-old history;
• Baznīcu kalns (Church Hill) - a place on which four churches stand next to each other. Each of them represents a different denomination but all of them together create a truly amazing architectural ensemble;
• Architecture and parks that have preserved the town’s history add to the attractive aura of central Daugavpils;
• Daugavpils Zoo not only gathers together animals from Latvia and around the world but also shares valuable knowledge about nature and ecology.

Events and Activities

Cultural enthusiasts will have the chance to visit a theatre, needlework demonstrations, museums, or landmarks, as well as discover pearls of architecture and art and cultural centres.

If you have trouble deciding on the time of your visit, choose one of the events that are organised in the town, such as the town festival, the sports competition at the Olympic Centre, speedway track events, or exhibitions at Mark Rothko Art Centre.