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Home , Citadel, Daugavpils, Daugavpils District, Fortification, Latgale, Lunette (fortification)

WALKING AROUND FORTRESS

Tourism Guide CONTENTS WELCOME!

Welcome! 3 How to get there? One can get to the Daugavpils Map 4 fortress from the centre:

Short history of the fortress 6 on foot along the protective dam (Daugavas Rules of conduct in the fortress 7 Street) from Dubrovins Park or taking Vienības Cafes and shops 8 Street and Cietokšņa Street ~ 25 minutes Culture and information centre 9 by bicycle along the centre 10 protective dam (Daugavas Street) from Dubrovins Other services 11 Park or taking Vienības Daugavpils (Dinaburg, Dvinsk) Street and Cietokšņa Bridgehead 12 fortress is located in the very heart Street ~ 15 minutes of the second biggest city of the Main 13 Republic of – only two taking an ecological kilometres away from the actual modern tram or a retro External 14 historical city centre. Still in the 18th tram No 3 (terminus century the small town of Dinaburg “Cietoksnis”), and making Fortress cathedral 15 was situated in the place that is some 200 meters on foot now occupied by an impressive ~ 15 minutes Nicholas gate 16 low complex – the last bulwark or -type fortification taking a microbus Mikhail gate 18 in the world. Daugavpils fortress No 13А (corner of was created as an ideal fortified Lāčplēša Street / Mihoelsa Alexander gate, Constantine gate 19 city, and nowadays the fortress has Street – terminus “Marka become a city in a city with ten wide Rotko mākslas centrs”) ~ Commandant’s house 20 streets, 80 , squares, and 10 minutes public gardens. The total area of the Officer houses 21 fortress situated on both banks of taking a bus No 4 or No 13 the River is more than two (corner of Lāčplēša Street Soldier 22 square kilometres. The fortress has / Alejas Street – bus stop data on 1200 inhabitants officially “Cietoksnis”) ~ 7 minutes hospital 23 registered in the fortress and living in 18 apartment houses. by car, crossing the Engineer arsenal 24 Daugavpils fortress is architectural motorway P67 and Vaļņu and town planning monument Street and taking Mihaila Warehouses 25 of State significance. Its territory Street. Coordinates: comprises 35 more individual 55.883832 | 26.497497 ~ Fortress garden 26 historical monuments. Today 6 minutes the fortress undergoes dynamic Memorial places 27 development as the greatest regional culture, tourism and Fortress 28 business centre. We invite you to have a walk around Daugavpils Soviet heritage 29 fortress and enjoy its creative life!

Contacts 30

Information on the project 31

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3 SHORT HISTORY OF THE FORTRESS RULES OF CONDUCT IN THE FORTRESS

1810 Russian Emperor Alexander 1920– Fortress hosted three Dear inhabitants, tourists, guests! detectors; I validates the fortress 1940 infantry regiments and an • disturb, tease or hunt animals in plan in regiment of the Daugavpils fortress is a specially the fortress territory; Dinaburg according to 4th Zemgale division of the protected area. We ask you to take • disturb, tease or hunt bats the project by Colonel – Latvian Army care after its cultural and historical residing in fortress fortifications engineer J. Heckel values. and buildings; 1941– Nazis arranged a Jewish • go by bicycle on the upper part of 1812 Marshal N.-C. Oudinot from 1944 ghetto and a camp for Soviet Daugavpils fortress is also a the protection rampart (you can Napoleon’s Army attacked prisoners of in the residential part of the city, due to fall down from 11 meters!); the Dinaburg fortress for fortress territory “STALAG this reason we ask you to respect • walk around the upper part of the several times, but all his – 340” inviolability of private space. protection rampart during the dark attempts to conquer the According to the Law of the time and in bad weather fortress were unsuccessful. 1948– Daugavpils Military School Republic of Latvia “On Protection of conditions (strong wind, rain, Russian soldiers led by 1993 of aviation engineers was Cultural Monuments” and Binding snow, fog) as it is possible to slip Major-General G. Ulanov established in the fortress Regulations of Daugavpils City and fall in the ; courageously fought off territory Council regarding requirements for • be rude to or cause inconvenience enemy attacks protection of cultural heritage and by one’s behaviour to other visitors 2011 Fortress Culture and culture monuments, it is allowed to of the fortress or its inhabitants; 1831 Fortress garrison participated Information Centre starts its stay in the fortress territory while • without any permission, organize in Polish uprising work in the reconstructed observing the following regulations: mass meetings or events; water tower • throw rubbish in any place apart 1833 Grand consecration It is allowed to: from expressly provided places, ceremony of the fortress, 2013 Daugavpils Mark Rothko • view, take pictures and videos of litter the rampart, the moat, fortress flag and standard Art Centre is opened in the all freely accessible fortifications or other fortifications. took place attended by the reconstructed building of and buildings; Emperor Nicholas I artillery arsenal • walk on the protection rampart Be warned that according to the (by observing personal safety; legislation of the Republic of 1863 Fortress garrison participated 2013 regional department particular attention should be paid Latvia non-observance of these in suppression of Polish of the Latvian to children) and on all streets and rules and laws as well as violation uprising has moved into the repaired yards inside the territory (if there of other regulations will lead to premises of the former are no movement limitations); administrative and criminal liability! 1863 fortifications for Commandant’s house and • ride bicycles on special bicycle protection of the bridge dwelling house of military lanes along pavements, to use and railway section Saint officers bicycle parking spots; Petersburg – Warsaw are • use and leave in specially finished 2013 Reconstruction of the designated areas; Nicholas gate is finished, • take pets for a walk (using a lead 1878 Construction of the a part of Nikolaja Street and a muzzle if required and taking Dinaburg fortress complex is (Nicholas Street) with necessary means for gathering completed buildings is reconstructed pets’ excrements); • make fires and use grill devices 1897 Rank of the Dvinsk 2014 1st coast with corps only in expressly provided places; fortification is lowered de garde (guardroom) is • use only public toilets. by naming it a fortress – restored warehouse It is forbidden to: I have visited Daugavpils • without special agreement, 1914– brings the fortress take any historical or other 1917 fortress at war. The 5th values (elements of buildings or headquarter of the Imperial fortifications – , stones, Russian Army is located here road-paving blocks, wooden and at the end of 1917 metal elements and structures, utilities, etc.) out of the fortress 1918– Fortress is temporarily territory; 1920 occupied by Bolshevik, • tear down and destroy buildings German and Polish military or fortifications, plantations, forces monuments, ornamental and information objects; • without any permission, carry out works of earth , use metal

6 7 CAFES AND SHOPS DAUGAVPILS FORTRESS CULTURE AND INFORMATION CENTRE

Café “Arsenal” Food shops After finishing the renovation the Water Tower building. works in 2011, Daugavpils Fortress The first floor of the Mark Rothko The corner of Imperatora Street Culture and Information Centre Free admission Art Centre hosts a cosy café. Its and Konstantīna Street is the place was established in the former Water Nikolaja Street 5. +371 654 24 043 interior is strongly kept in the style where one can find a small shop Tower building. Once the building [email protected] of the former artillery arsenal, offering both food products and that was built in 1865-1866 assured Order fortress tours: yet supplemented with modern main household goods. Each water supply system for the whole +371 654 22 818 pieces of art. The café offers vast morning one can buy here freshly fortress. The vessel of 3000 buckets menu of European cuisine, rich baked bread and sweet pastry. in volume located in the building business lunch for fair price. When Credit cards are accepted. was filled from three wells on the it is warm, the fortification territory Open: 8:00 – 22:00 (daily) bank of the River Daugava using a around the café looks especially steam-driven . The vessel impressive when regarding it from The shop at Hospitāļa Street 4 offers has been preserved till nowadays in the café terrace. The café “Arsenal” also a wide assortment of drinks a very good condition, and till now it has become a popular place used alongside with basic food products. is a part of the industrial heritage of by city inhabitants to celebrate Credit cards are accepted. this building. their wedding, anniversary and Open: 8:00 – 22:00 (daily) graduations festivities. During the The centre offers the main summer period it is advised to learn information on the fortress history, about possibilities of reservation of current events and development places. Credit cards are accepted. plans. Here one can see a small exposition presenting historical Mihaila Street 3. +371 27757872 drawings, photos, military uniforms www.arsenalcafe.net; and artefacts that have been found [email protected] in the fortress during previous years. Open: 10:00 – 22:00 (daily) The working office of the fortress administrator – modern civil “commandant” – is also located in 1

8 9 DAUGAVPILS OTHER SERVICES

Mark Rothko Art Centre is located in surface of the exhibition halls is Residences Conference halls the building of the artillery arsenal 2000 m2. (1830-1833). It is a place where the Cosy rooms for dwelling of creative The right wing of the former artillery past has regained its second wind One may visit expositions and persons are arranged in the left arsenal comprises a conference and is in step with the time, thus exhibitions independently or wing of the former artillery arsenal hall for hosting up to 100 people, creating a unique place for varied accompanied by a guide. The tour (10 rooms with 14 places). The as well as two rooms for seminars creative manifestations. around all art centre exhibitions residence also offers a common and business meetings (each for takes 1 hour and 30 minutes, the kitchen where residents can cook 25 places). They are equipped with Some day the place was used to tour of the A sector (M. Rothko their own meals, as well as to wash all the necessary audio and video cannons, ammunition wagons biography and creative works) takes their belongings in a washing equipment for organizing various and prodgy, swords and rifles, 45 minutes. The art centre also machine. The place creates events. The centre also offers a regimental colours and drums. The offers ordering tours around the favourable conditions for solitary separate room for coffee breaks, a building is architectural monument fortress. Tours can be ordered by life of residents and their creative wardrobe room and a comfortable of State significance. phone: +371 654 30279, work – artist studios. Participants of parking lot. The conference hall has +371 65430273, +371 20364226. creative residences often stay here. a separate entry. In the Art Centre one can see the original pieces of the world- Opening hours of Mark Rothko Art Mihaila Street 3. +371 654 30 278 Mihaila Street 3. +371 654 30 279 known artist Mark Rothko, born in Centre: www.rotkocentrs.lv; rotkocentrs@ www.rotkocentrs.lv; rotkocentrs@ Daugavpils, as well as to visit the Monday – closed; daugavpils.lv daugavpils.lv exposition devoted to this artist. Tuesday and Sunday – from 11:00 to 17:00; Mark Rothko (b. Marcus Rothkowitz) Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and 2 was born September 25, 1903. In Saturday – from 11:00 to 19:00. 1913 his family emigrated to the of America. He is Mihaila Street 3. +371 654 30 253 one of the most outstanding and www.rotkocentrs.lv, rotkocentrs@ remarkable artists of the second half daugavpils.lv of the 20th century, founder of the abstract expressionism movement.

In the art centre it is also possible to visit changing personal and group exhibitions of well-known Latgalian, Latvian and foreign artists. The total 2

10 11 BRIDGEHEAD MAIN RAMPART

Bridgehead (bridge protection, tête- building of 550 m length was built The main part of the fortification lunettes – semicircle fortifications de-pont) – it is a defence position containing 142 casemates for complex – the – is situated with casemates inside them – nestle with the aim to cover the bridge disposition of troops and necessary on the right bank of the River up the rampart. Access to the crossing. supplies. Later the inner rooms of Daugava. A complex defence curtain lunettes and independent the barracks were rebuilt for several system was made around the citadel fortifications in the moat area can In 1810 the construction of the times according to the garrison with seven firing grounds and a be gained through secret passages new Dinaburg fortress started with needs – different workshops, rooms two-kilometre long . The () in the . The Dinaburg vicinity levelling and measurement for soldiers with families were main rampart was commanding the fortress has 17 of them. Posterns on both banks of the Zapadnaya located there. fortress defence that was elevated were covered by wooden gates Dvina (the Daugava). At the over the rest of fortifications – its from both sides. The posterns moment when the French Army In 1941-1942, the Nazis established length exceeds 3 km, height – 10-12 leading to the five free-standing was approaching the fortress in the Jewish ghetto in the bridgehead meters, thickness – 20-25 meters. were fortified with bascule 1812, only the digging of a moat where Daugavpils Jews, people From 1819 to 1827 the main rampart wood bridges. and making a rampart alongside from surrounding regions of Latvia, was “dressed up in a stone garment” Look around the casemates of the the right bank of the river was , and were taken. – it was fastened with a scarp wall 7th and 8th bastions – premises started. On the left bank of the Practically all ghetto inhabitants from blocks. The broken for troops cover inside the wall, river, a moat was already dug and were shot in woods of Mežciems on lines of the rampart enclose the go up the very wall in order to see ground bastions of the bridgehead the right bank of the river behind the internal buildings of the fortress. the external fortifications and the were outlined. This was the part of fortress. The wall is built as three bastions surroundings. the fortress that ensured the main along the river bank – these are protection. When the Russian- Since 1961 the bridgehead pentagonal fortifications with open French war ended, the rebuilding of was turned into a that is yard side (neck line). Six curtain the bridgehead was started in 1814. functioning as such also today. A tension-structure pontoon bridge 4 was established between both parts The bridgehead can be viewed from of the fortress; it was dismantled the main rampart of the citadel during winter time and kept in a between the 7th and 1st bastion, or special harbour. from the right bank of the river.

In 1837 a horseshoe-shaped two-storey stone defence barrack 3

12 13 EXTERNAL FORTIFICATIONS FORTRESS CATHEDRAL

In order to prevent the enemy from fortress esplanade some way from To commemorate the victory over shape of the roof and the facade approaching the main rampart of the moat; two of them have been Swedes, in 1626 the Polish voivode was changed considerably. the fortress, its were detached preserved till modern days. A. Gonsevsky built a wood church in from the external fortifications with Dinaburg and a Jesuit collegium was The garrison Lutheran community the help of a moat. In case of an To view the external fortification affiliated to it. was functioning in the church form attack the moat could be flooded part, use the thematic route 1928 to 1940. People recollect that with water. In the moat, six reduits “Defender’s Track” (on the main A new stone church in place of during that time altars for Lutherans, (inner fortification, shelter) were rampart) or “Scout’s Track” (through the old one was built in 1737-1746. Catholics, and Orthodox were built fortified with earth the moat) – follow the indications There exist several versions about present in the church. (triangle-shaped ), but on the map that can be obtained the author of the architectural bastions were covered by contre- at the Daugavpils Fortress Culture design. For several centuries the In 1944 the main facade with towers gardes that were reinforced by and Information Centre (Nikolaja “Jesuit” church was the architectural was destroyed during artillery artillery . Street 5). dominant of the town – the height attack. In the 1950s and of the both towers reached 60 m. building remains were torn down, In addition three (closed while a square was created on the fortifications) were built in the In May 1811 the Jesuit church was church foundation. turned into Orthodox church, but in August – into the fortress cathedral. A city school was working in the Monastery premises were used as building of the Jesuit collegium 5 barracks and for provisions storage. from 1948 to 2003.

Complete overhaul of the building was carried out round 1870. The 6

14 15 NICHOLAS GATE NICHOLAS GATE

The Dinaburg fortress had four have been miraculously preserved gates that were named in honour as well as internal premises were of Emperor Alexander I and his reconstructed; the foundation and brothers – grand dukes. underground gallery removing rain and ground waters from the The Nicholas gate is exposed to the fortress into the moat were fixed. On bridgehead; it welcomed travellers façades cast-iron ornaments were arriving at the fortress from . renewed: representation of the coat The gate was built from 1824 to of arms of the Imperial in 1827 in Neo-Gothic style. The the stylistics of the Alexander I era, Nicholas gate (the gate is named double-sided halberds (-axes) after the future Emperor Nicholas and the gate name in the original I) is different from other gates of writing. Gate rooms are now fitted the fortress in the way that it has with modern lighting enabling lateral chambers on both sides of to use them as exhibition halls. the central passageway – in tsarist Historical foundations are currently days they were used as guard and used to bear the reconstructed 55m prisoner rooms. long and 8 m wide wood bridge that can now be used to get into the In the 1920s the old wood bridge fortress from Daugavas Street. leading from the 1st coast lunette to the gate over the moat was The restoration of the 1st coast taken down. During the Soviet lunette with corps de garde times the gate was bricked up (guardroom) and barrier gate from the moat side and used to covering the way to the Nicholas store vegetables. Gate restoration gate bridge was finished in October took place from October 2012 to 2014. December 2013. Using anastylosis (installation of fallen genuine elements), the attic of the external façade of the gate and the roof structure were reconstructed; gate wings of the internal façade that 7

16 17 MIKHAIL GATE ALEXANDER GATE, CONSTANTINE GATE

The Mikhail gate was built in 1820- – from the Mikhail gate to the arch The similar-type Alexander and the old road. Unfortunately 1821 and is created after the Franz gate of the 7th semi contre-garde, Constantine gates were built in in 1962 the gate named in honour fort gate of the Prussian Koblenz but from the arch gate – to the right 1820-1822 on the basis of the of the vicegerent of the Kingdom fortress. The massive external front of the 6th , and further project presented by A. Shtaubert, of Poland Constantine was granite façade is nowadays still on – from the barrier gate of the the in-service architect at the destroyed due to the reason that it decorated with the stone-cut 6th ravelin corps de garde to the Imperial Russia War ministry. All was necessary to bring large-size depiction of the Russian Imperial road going through Esplanade to the fortress gates had to have equipment into the territory of the two-headed eagle. Pay attention the modern-day city centre. In 1850 this appearance. Though later aviation school. Support elements to two arched grooves in the inner inscriptions with gate names were the appearance of other two ensuring additional fastening passageway – exactly like in the placed on facades of all the gates passageways was changed. The of closed gate wings from the Nicholas gate, also here in case of according to the edict of Grand Alexander gate is directed at Saint inside have been preserved in the continued defence, the plan was to Duke Mikhail – Artillery Chief of the Petersburg, while the Constantine Alexander gate. close the passageway with stones whole Empire – in honour of whom gate led to a summer hospital and and with the help of this gate was named. through it people could get on transverse crossbars. The Mikhail passageway consisted of three wood bridges with bascule sections 10 9 8

18 19 COMMANDANT’S HOUSE OFFICER HOUSES

Construction of the Commandant’s the former Commandant’s house; Houses for officers were built in In the 1920s-1940s the building house according to the it was later turned into a parking lot the 1820s- on both sides of was occupied by headquarters and A. Shtaubert’s project was finished during the building reconstruction. the Commandant’s house and the other services of Zemgale division, in 1818. Services of the fortress fortress garden. 1. Oficieru Street different clubs were situated there commandant as well as a hotel The building is architectural has still preserved two houses (No as well. for visitors were located in the monument of State significance. In 2 and 8) also for officers at the Commandant’s house. A telegraph the building it is possible to see the commandant and committee of In order to view internal buildings office was operating in the genuine ornamented metal of the military registration office, yet of the citadel, choose the thematic mezzanine of the building. the central entrance. Two cast-iron the of these houses route “Commandant’s Route” visible cannons with 112mm bore diameter differs from that of other buildings. on the map that you can receive The Senate decree from July 16 (28), dating back to the last quarter of Officer Assembly with its own club in Daugavpils Fortress Culture and 1826 changed the direction of the the 19th century are placed on both and library was functioning in the Information Centre (Nikolaja Street 5). Vienna high road – now it was going sides of the central entrance. fortress. through Dinaburg. Since then, when going to Europe or returning to the After reconstruction, since 2012, capital, the Emperor and his family the Commandant’s house and its members were going through neighbouring officer house are 12 Dinaburg. The Commandant’s occupied by the Latgale regional house provided them with special department of the Latvian State apartments for rest after exhausting Police. trip in a carriage. Komandanta Street 7, Konstantīna During the Soviet period, the Street 8 building was occupied by the headquarters of the aviation school. After tearing down several buildings, a square was laid out in the yard of 11

20 21 SOLDIER BARRACKS MILITARY HOSPITAL

In the 1820s-1850s four spacious The premises were considerably The premises of the military hospital the Ministry of Defence of the USSR. two-storey stone barracks to rebuilt during the Soviet times to were built from 1820 to 1827 after house soldiers were built not far meet the needs of the aviation the design of architect A. Shtaubert. When the Russian Army left the from the fortress gates. Three of school cadets. A third floor was built fortress in 1994, the hospital ceased the buildings have also a semi- on the Nicholas barrack (Nikolaja Initially the hospital was meant to exist as a separate military basement floor that was used for Street 2), while the new Nicholas for 500 patients, but later it was formation. kitchen, lavatory and washing barrack (Mihaila Street 11) was enlarged to 900 beds. Throughout rooms. Toilet blocks, utility rooms turned into a school canteen. Today all the rules and regimes, the The building is architectural and wells were located in barrack these spacious buildings are not military hospital continued to fulfil monument of State significance. It courtyards. used. its direct functions as a medical presents partially preserved distinct institution. It was equipped with and peculiar ventilation and heating In the 1920s-1940s soldiers of the most up-to-date equipment; its system, genuine metal window Zemgale division regiments were personnel were known by their high frames and wing door. lodged in these buildings. professionalism. The building used to house a pharmacy as well. Detailed technical plan of the 13 building reconstruction has been From 1921 to 1940 the building was developed. By attracting private occupied by Daugavpils military investments, the building can be infirmary. used for different goals in future.

From 1941 to 1944 the German Since 2013, a theatre festival – Army used the building as sick workshop “TELPA” (”ROOM”) is quarters. being organized in the hospital premises. From 1944 to 1994 the building was occupied by a military hospital of Hospitāļa Street 6

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22 23 ENGINEER ARSENAL WAREHOUSES

The impressive two-storey building casting, drawing, pattern and other To support the garrison needs, a provisions magazine building (1834- of the engineer arsenal is built shops. considerable number of various 1837) is located that was used to close to the Alexander gate most warehouses were located in the store the fortress food supplies. This probably from 1840 to 1844. The For the time being there is not fortress territory. Three bastions building was particularly guarded length of the Empire-style external enough information on the use of facing the bridgehead were used for during the Soviet years since it was façade of the three joint buildings the building from 1918 to 1947. powder magazines. Today two of used as baggage and armament is 275 m. Surface of the building is them can be seen in the 7th and 8th magazine (Nikolaja Street 9). 7000 m2. The courtyard is 2000 During the Soviet years the building bastions. The inside of the bastion m2 large. The former arsenal was used as job training workshops is made as a room surrounded by a A warehouse for pontoons of the building is architectural monument and garages. Since 1993 the safety gallery (to protect from fire Birago system was placed in the of State significance. The building building is not used anymore and is and humidity) – here gun powder citadel corner opposite to the 3rd has preserved its ramps (rampants) decaying. It is expected that in future was kept in special barrels. It is bastion (head of Aleksandra Street). going to the second floor of the the building could house a museum probable that originally powder These sheds have been partially building from the yard. of Daugavpils fortress history. magazines were thatched with preserved till our days. turves. The engineer arsenal was used to Imperatora Street 8 make and repair armament supplies, In the yard of the 8th bastion a long tooling for fortification and measures. The building 16 included paint, carpenter, wheel, turners, woodworking, locksmiths,

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24 25 FORTRESS GARDEN MEMORIAL PLACES

With the loss of military significance cannons; this sculpture was lost at In May 1822 the Lieutenant-General Street 2 in tribute to Jānis Balodis in the second half of the 19th the outset of the World War I. at the Prussian Royal Service Gustav (1881-1965), Commander-in-Chief century a garden was created in von Rauch visited the fortress; of the Latvian Army, who lived in place of the former fortress square The base of the monument devoted this was celebrated by placing a this building from 1902 to 1904. in front of the main facade of the to the killed soldiers from the 10th memorial stone in the curtain wall The memorial plate did not last till Commandant’s house. In 1866 a Aizpute infantry regiment of the of the main rampart opposite to the nowadays. fountain was erected in the centre Latvian Army (opened in 1924) has 2nd bastion, this memorial stone is of the garden, water to the fountain been preserved in the garden. After preserved till this day. In 1942, the famous Tatar poet was supplied from the water tower. the World War II the monument was Musa Dzhalil (1906-1944) was In 1912, while celebrating the considerably transformed and used From 1827 to 1831 Wilhelm pining in the concentration camp centennial anniversary of the victory as the base to Stalin’s bust. The old Küchelbecker (1797-1846), the well- “STALAG‑340” behind the fortress. over Napoleon in 1812, an unusual pergola has also been preserved. known Decembrist and lyceum- In 1975, a memorial plate to M. monument – a fountain made time friend of A. Pushkin was pining Dzhalil was opened in the wall of the from three cast-iron large-calibre Today the shady lanes of the fortress in the walls of the fortress – prison. arch gate of the 7th semi contre- cannons – was erected in the centre garden are a popular resting place Even nowadays it is not clear yet garde – it is attracting people even of the garden at the expense of the of fortress inhabitants and its guests. where exactly in the fortress today. soldiers and officers of the Dvinsk In winter the greatest open-air W. Küchelbecker was kept. In 1975 fortress – warehouse. A sculpture of skating-rink in the city is made a memorial plate to the prisoner On July 9, 2013, the presidents a two-headed eagle with its wings around the fountain. In summer was set on the wall of the former of Latvia and Poland opened a spread wide was rising above the different festivals and concerts take Commandant’s house – it can be monument devoted to Count cannonball placed on top of the place here. viewed from the parking lot side. Leon Plater (1836-1863) – the local leader of the Polish uprising, who In the territory of the former fortress was held in the fortress during the cathedral the grave of the Dinaburg investigation period – near the fortress commandant G. Pilenko artillery arsenal. (1817-1884) is preserved, his thread of life was cut in the fortress in 1884 while on duty.

In 1936 a memorial plate was opened on the building at 1. Oficieru

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26 27 FORTRESS CANNONS SOVIET HERITAGE

Today history in the fortress The gun (bore diameter From 1947 to 1993, the whole foundations. The most exceptional territory is witnessed by historical 205 mm, model of 1872) of the territory of the fortress citadel was exhibit item in the hangar of training large-calibre cannons. In these fortress is placed on the “Wallgang” under the jurisdiction of the Ministry flight simulators (Komandanta days nine old cannons can be (a protected place on the upper part of Defence of the USSR – the Street 8) was the airplane MiG-25P found here: five of them are from of a rampart) of the main rampart Military School of aviation engineers that was jacked from the USSR to cast-iron, while four – made from curtain between the Nicholas gate was located here. The ramparts, Japan in 1976. In honour of the steel. They were manufactured in and the 7th bastion – in the way moat and inner territory were kept 25th foundation anniversary of the the second half of the 19th century how cannons were placed when in perfect order. Yet many historical school, an airplane MiG-19S with in an ordnance plant in Perm and the fortress switched to defence buildings underwent considerable the tail number “25” was erected on in Obukhov steel casting plant emergency. One more steel rebuilding to comply with the needs the near the foundations of the (Russia). with the bore diameter of 107 mm of the school. Almost all old sheds fortress cathedral in 1973. Today (model of 1887) on the original and auxiliary buildings in yards only the base of the monument is All cannons are made with Venglovski gun-mount is placed were taken down. Five multi-story left. threading in a gun tube, which at the intersection of the streets dwelling houses and two training increased the range of a missile Imperatora and Konstantīna. buildings were raised on the old and improved accuracy and close pattern of shooting. Two steel artillery tubes were Two of the cannons are placed installed at Hekeļa Street 3, yet now at the main entrance of the they are moved to a warehouse Commandant’s house facing the belonging to the building proprietor. fortress garden. In the very middle of the garden three cannons enrich the fountain. 18

28 29 CONTACTS INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT

Daugavpils Fortress Culture and Map: SIA „Karšu izdevniecība Jāņa This brochure is issued within Neighbourhood and Partnership Information Centre sēta” the framework of the project Instrument succeeds the Baltic Nikolaja Street 5, Daugavpils, Latvia “Preservation and Promotion Sea Region INTERREG IIIB +371 654 24043 Design: SIA „Norrskog” of the Cultural and Historical Neighbourhood Programme Priority www.facebook.com/Daugavpils. Heritage in Daugavpils City and South IIIA Programme for the cietoksnis Prepared for publication by: SIA Grodno City” (D‑G HERITAGE, LLB- period of 2007-2013. The overall [email protected] „13.STĀVS” 2-246) of the Latvia, Lithuania and strategic goal of the programme GPS: 55.883900, 26.495823 Belarus Cross Cooperation is to enhance the cohesion of the Printing-house: SIA „Latgales druka” Programme 2007-2013 within the Latvian, Lithuanian and Belarusian Tourism European Neighbourhood and border region, to secure a high Information Centre Issue: 2000 copies (in English) Partnership Instrument. level of environmental protection Rīgas Street 22A, Daugavpils, Latvia and to provide for economic and +371 654 22818 FREE ISSUE Project objective: to contribute social welfare as well as to promote www.visitdaugavpils.lv to the preservation of cultural- intercultural dialogue and cultural [email protected] First cover: Nicholas gate. Photo: historical heritage and promotion of diversity. GPS: 55.8708171, 26.5173634 J. Ņikitins. tourism through the implementation of joint actions. Latgale region in Latvia, Panevėžys, Publisher of the tourism guide: Fourth cover: Historical Emperor’s Utena, Vilnius, Alytus and Daugavpils City Council flag of Dinaburg fortress. Implementing partner (beneficiary) counties in Lithuania, as well as Photo: M. Grunskis of the project: Daugavpils City , Mogilev, and Grodno Text: Mg. hist. Artjoms Mahļins, Council. oblasts take part in the Programme. Dr. hist. Henrihs Soms, Dinaburg Daugavpils 2014 The Joint Managing Authority of the fortress documentation centre The contents of this publication are programme is the Ministry of the (http://dcdc.lpi.du.lv) the sole responsibility of Daugavpils Interior of the Republic of Lithuania. City Council and can in no way be The web site of the programme is Translation: Sandra Celmiņa taken to reflect the views of the www.enpi-cbc.eu. European Union. Photo-material: Māris Grunskis, Artjoms Mahļins, Jevģēnijs Ņikitins, The European Union is made up stock of Daugavpils Regional and of 28 Member States who have Art Museum, Daugavpils Fortress decided to gradually link together Culture and Information Centre, their know-how, resources and Daugavpils District Tourism destinies. Information Centre, Mark Rothko Art Centre, personal archive of Together, during a period of T. Pumpuriņš. enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its .

The Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus Cross-border Cooperation Programme within the European

Šo projektu finansē Eiropas Savienība This Project is funded by the European Union

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