Tsar Alexander I approved a building force under engineer colonel J. Hekkel to build a fortress to fortify the Russian borders. The construction was started in 1810 with a force of 10000 solders and 2000 craftsmen from Vitebsk province. Planned building time was 3 years. And it was supposed to hold 7000 people when finished. In summer 1812 the French army tried to capture the fortress but failed. Later the Russians destroyed it, so that there was nothing to captures in a new French attempt. In 1819 the Russians tested the remnants with gun shots and because damage was insignificant, they went to contruct a 5 km long fortification rampart with 4 gates - Alexander's, Konstantin's, Nicholas' and Michaels'. In the 1827 they built the hospital. In May 1833 there was the consecration of the fortress which Tsar Nicholas I and higer clergy. In 1878 the fortress was finally finished and covered an area of 40 ha. In 1897 it served as a fortress-warehouse and for imprisonment. Between 1920 and 1940 it was used by the Latvian army. In 1941-1944 the Germans set up the "Shtalag-340" concentration camp. From 1948 the Soviet army made itself resident. From 1994 it was again under Latvian adminstration and in 1998 finally became state real estate.
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 | Fortress   |  | |
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 |  on November 24, 2006 |
The fortress was built in the place of former fortifications and town at the end of 16th century. The fortress ensemble consists of buildings in classical and empire style. It is situated on the right side of Daugava river and there is a bridgehead on the left side. Tsar Alexander I approved a building force under engineer colonel J. Hekkel to build a fortress to fortify the Russian borders. The construction was started in 1810 with a force of 10000 solders and 2000 craftsmen from Vitebsk province. Planned building time was 3 years. And it was supposed to hold 7000 people when finished. In summer 1812 the French army tried to capture the fortress but failed. Later the Russians destroyed it, so that there was nothing to captures in a new French attempt. In 1819 the Russians tested the remnants with gun shots and because damage was insignificant, they went to contruct a 5 km long fortification rampart with 4 gates - Alexander's, Konstantin's, Nicholas' and Michaels'. In the 1827 they built the hospital. In May 1833 there was the consecration of the fortress which Tsar Nicholas I and higer clergy. In 1878 the fortress was finally finished and covered an area of 40 ha. In 1897 it served as a fortress-warehouse and for imprisonment. Between 1920 and 1940 it was used by the Latvian army. In 1941-1944 the Germans set up the "Shtalag-340" concentration camp. From 1948 the Soviet army made itself resident. From 1994 it was again under Latvian adminstration and in 1998 finally became state real estate. |
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| St. Petri Cathedral  | | |
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| on November 24, 2006 |
This catholic church was constructed from 1838 and finally finished after 10 years. With its dome it apparently resembles St. Pauls in Rome. It is located off the pedestrian street in the center of town. |
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| Old wooden houses | | |
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| on November 24, 2006 |
I was very surprised to see these Russian style wooden houses along the tram line. It made me think of the old wooden houses in Irkutsk in Siberia. |
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| Russian Orthodox Church | | |
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| on November 24, 2006 |
This little church is quite an eyecatcher. It seems to be pretty new or maybe just newly renovated. It is near the tourist office in the citycenter. |
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| University and theatre etc. | | |
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| on November 24, 2006 |
In the same street as the impressive university building (photo 1) is also a theatre (photo 2). On the third photo there is another small hotel which is in the same street and the tram runs through it. |
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| Pedestrian zone and park | | |
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| on November 24, 2006 |
There is a long pedestrian street (photo 1) which runs roughly from the railway station to the city center. Next to the bus station there is a big park (photo 2+3) for recreation with benches. |
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| Steel cannons | | |
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| on November 24, 2006 |
In the fortress there is the fountain monument (photo 1+2) made in the 19th century from cannons and opened in 1912. The steel cannon in photo 3+4 was made in 1877 in Obuhovo in Russia. |
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| One Old Area And Buildings of Daugavpils | | |
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 on April 26, 2006 |
The Jaunbuve District Of Daugavpils provides a unique view of Latvia. It contains unpaved roads and pre-Soviet and Soviet era buildings. The area is a mixture of Soviet multi-family housing, pre-1900 single family houses and some new houses. |
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| Polish Memorial in Daugavpils | | |
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| on April 27, 2006 |
After 1918, various parts of the Russian empire aspired their freedom and pursued it militarily. The Latvian Army was assisted by the Polish army, in defeating the Russian Soviet Army, to achieve the freedom of the Daugavpils area, which prior to Russian occupation, had been part of Poland. The Memorial is to the fallen of the Polish Army in the Victory of Daugavpils. |
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| Day Trip to Aglona Basilica | | |
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| on April 26, 2006 |
The road through the forests and lakes ends at the beautiful imposing white Aglona Basilica. It was built in 1699, when this area was part of Poland, before being occupied by Russia in the partitions of Poland. Many Polish remainders survive. |
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