Daugavpils

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Green city of Daugavpils is situated in northeastern Latvia and is the second largest city of the country. This beautiful city is located on the banks of Daugava river, city’s name means ”Castle of Daugava”. It has appr. 96,000 residents.

Daugavpils is famous for its 19th century red brick architecture, which is sometimes called Latgale baroque. Its historical centre is well-known for its brick facades and peculiar street network.

Recreation

Daugavpils Olympic Centre (1 Stadiona Street) has an open-air swimming pool, which is one of the biggest in Europe. Here is also a spa zone including sauna, steam baths and massage baths.

Ledus Halle ice hall (Stacijas iela 45a) is good for skating.

Dubrovin Park in city centre is good for piqueniques.

Stropi beach on the shore of Lielais Stropu lake is quite popular in summertime.

What to see

Mark Rothko Art Center

This multi-functional art complex located at the Arsenal building of the Daugavpils Fortress is dedicated to memory and abstract expressionist works of American-Latvian artist Mark Rothko. It also houses several exhibitions of other Latvian-born and foreign modern artists. There is also residences for artists.

Local Arts and History Museum

This museum (locating at Rigas iela 8 in idyllic 19th-century house) is dedicated to history and cultural heritage of the Daugavpils region and Latgale province. Exhibition contains e.g. works of Daugavpils painter Leonid Baulin (1945-2002). Collection also shows multiple archaeological artefacts exposed from the local digs, such as instruments, household objects, paintings and photography.

How to get around in Daugavpils

Daugavpils has very encompassing network bus route. Tickets cost appr. 0.20 euros.

In the city centre there is three tram routes. Info visible here

How to get in Daugavpils

Nearest international airport is in Riga. List of airlines and destinations

Trains from Riga to Daugavpils operate four times a day. There is also train connections from the Belarusian city of Gomel and Russia. Latvian train timetables are visible here.

Road P73 goes to Daugavpils from Riga (223 kilometres).

Text: Timo Hellman

Photos: Wikipedia Commons with CC / miles from home, Mark Rothko Art Center, Alma Pater[/fusion_text]