Top Things to do in Latgale Region
Top Restaurants in Latgale Region
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The 9 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Latgale Region, Latvia
Discover the best top things to do in Latgale Region, Latvia including Daugavpils Shot Factory, Aglona Basilica, The Embassy of Latgale GORS, Devil's Lake, Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre, World War II Museum and Exposition Hall, Shmakovka Museum, Daugavpils Fortress, Ruins of the Rezekne Castle Hill.
Restaurants in Latgale Region
1. Daugavpils Shot Factory
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 59 reviews
Being in the remote location of Europe, site has preserved unique evidence of living history of industrial era. It is opened to visitors since late 2012. Factory uses technologies invented in 1782 and you'll have a chance to explore them all. Daugavpils Shot Tower Museum gained prestigious 3rd place award in the European Cultural Tourism network (ECTN) contest “Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism – 2015″ and is highly favored by its guests.
Reviewed By Isa-Francis - Montreal, Canada
This is a very special place, as there were not so many lead bullet factories in operation in the world... let alone some that are still working the same way as they used to in the 19th century. The place looks great, feeling very industrial and rustic. You get to learn all about the process of lead bullet manufacturing... and the process is definitely not what I expected it to be. The equipment is still working, of course, and you get to see most of the items being turned on and operated for you to better understand it. Our guide (English tour on 2020-08-21) was awesome. He showed a lot of passion and was very good at getting his interest across. He also was very knowledgeable of the fortress and Daugavpils in general. With the visit entrance fee (5.50 EUR) is included one (1) shot of a pneumatic gun with bullets manufactured at the factory. Unfortunately, the person operating the shooting range on the day of our visit was not so kind and friendly. He clearly was not interested in explaining us the shooting process and spent wayyyyyy too much time over the reloading process of the gun. Come on, we are two in your museum and we get one (1) shot included... don't lose us with the details of reloading a gun for 20 minutes. If we are interested in buying more rounds (which is an option for a few EUR extras), then you can spend some time explaining this process to us, with the desired level of detail, as we would have shown interest. Instead, he made us lose ours totally and we shot our shot and left with no intention whatsoever to spend more time with this man. Sadly. For an extra 1.50 EUR, you can climb the 120 steps to get to the top of the tower to see the melting setup and to have nice views of Daugavpils. If you are fit to climb it, it is worth it, no doubt. There is only one (1) English tour offered every day, at 13h00. Reservations required. Photographs allowers. All in all, expect about 2 hours in this place.
2. Aglona Basilica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By bananablossom17 - Riga, Latvia
An amazing place to reconnect with your spiritual side. It's beautiful inside and out and you also have the possibility to drink refreshing water from the Holy Spring located on it's territory. The people there are very nice and friendly as well.
3. The Embassy of Latgale GORS
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
The Embassy of Latgale Gors is one of the first acoustic concert halls that has been built from the very foundations in the Baltics. It is one of the most remarkable buildings of 2013 in Latvia. Excellent acoustics, superb event programme, a place for concerts, exhibitions, cinema, seminars and other events – it all characterises the embassy of Latgale GORS. GORS visitors can enjoy both the wide offer of events and the tours that give an opportunity to find out the secrets of the concert hall, as well as opportunities in both backstage and public area, go out for lunch or dinner to the cafe “Zids” with one of the best views in the city and visit a new exhibition every month in the foyer of the 1st floor.
4. Devil's Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By bananablossom17 - Riga, Latvia
The nature there is beautiful! Great place to take Instagram worthy photos and enjoy the view. It has however a very mysterious atmosphere and the locals believe there's something magical about this lake.
5. Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre - multi-functional contemporary art and culture centre located in the Artillery Arsenal building (1833) of Daugavpils Fortress, where history goes hand in hand with the contemporary and creates a unique and inspiring place for creative expression and experience. Permanent exhibition: „Mark Rothko. Life and Art.” - Hall of Mark Rothko’s original paintings; - Digital exposition about Rothko’s life and art periods; - Rothko Research Hall (temporary exhibition); - Video Hall; - Silence Room; - Library. Temporary exhibitions: In Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre are displayed well-known Latvian and foreign artists’ exhibitions, created in different artistic media - painting, photography, graphic, textile and ceramic art, etc., as well as historical and cultural expositions. Throughout the year, there are 5 major exhibition season openings, showing best regional, Latvian and foreign art projects. We offer: • guided tours in Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre and Daugavpils Fortress; • children and youth educational programs; • workshops and master classes (with and without preliminary knowledge); • Residence Programs for artists; • rooms for conferences, seminars and other events;
Reviewed By katem123456789
This place located in the old fort, I found it very charming. The art gallery was interesting. They had a restaurant in the complex but we didn’t go in.
6. World War II Museum and Exposition Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By KingProbby
So much to see ! Owner will tell in great details about everything! We can also touch many things and sit on a bike ! Music in a background for atmosphere and fun souvenir shop by exit ! I suggest coming and seeing for yourselves ! You will not regret ! Also dog is adorable!
7. Shmakovka Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Similtiades - Riga, Latvia
When on our trip to Daugavpils, my girlfriend insisted that the Šmakovka museum was the must-see thing that we had to do in the city. The entrance is around the side of the large multi-purpose building of the main square of the city centre, then down a flight of stairs inside a door. We were greeted by two friendly young Latgalian men on the front desk (no "grumpy old man" that the other reviews mention), who were in the middle of showing another group out after their tour before turning attention to us. Ticket prices were a little high for Latvia, and for museums in ex-Soviet countries in general, especially outside of major cities, even with a student discount. Still, it was about on par with what one would expect to pay for a small-to-medium sized museum in Central or Western Europe. We opted to go for the English audioguide so that we would both receive the same information. The translation was done really well in the guide, especially considering that the first language of the museum was not even Latvian or Russian, but Latgalian. The museum is split into two large rooms detailing, essentially, a history of the last couple hundred years of Latgale through the eyes of Šmakovka makers. It goes into a great amount of detail on what separates the Latgale region from the rest of Latvia, before turning its attention to Latgale in the Soviet times with an interesting depiction of the local spirit becoming a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism. Of course, this exhibition drops off a little bit before modern day Latgale and the amount of anti-Latvian, pro-Russian sympathy currently found in the region. Finally, after the main part of the museum is over, we were led back through the main entrance hall to the third room, where the guide took us through a tour of the actual distilling process of the drink, and you are able to go up close see every detail of the equipment used as you wish. When the tour is done, you are allowed a complementary shot of a Šmakovka of your choice from what they have available (the inclusion of this is probably why the ticket price was more expensive than expected). In all, it was one of the highlights of our trip. A really interesting and informative museum, that any visitor to Daugavpils should visit. However, I wouldn't go again unless showing around new visitors who had never been before; certainly most Latvians that have visited their second city have been to the museum, so there isn't really much need for repeat visits unless showing around foreign guests. It isn't big enough for that, but definitely is a must-visit on your first trip to Daugavpils.
8. Daugavpils Fortress
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 177 reviews
Daugavpils (Dinaburg, Dwinsk) fortress is located in the very heart of the second biggest city of the Republic of Latvia - only two kilometres away from the actual historical city centre. Still in the 18th century the small town of Dinaburg was situated in the place that is now occupied by an impressive low fortification complex - the last bulwark or bastion-type fortification in the world. Daugavpils fortress was created as a fortified ideal city, and nowadays the fortress has become a city in a city with ten wide streets, 80 buildings, squares, and public gardens. The total area of the fortress situated on both banks of the River Daugava is more than two square kilometres. The fortress has data on 1200 inhabitants officially registered in the fortress and living in 18 apartment houses. Daugavpils fortress is architectural and town planning monument of State significance. Its territory comprises 35 more individual historical monuments. Today the fortress undergoes dynamic development as the greatest regional culture, tourism and business centre. We invite you to have a walk around Daugavpils fortress and enjoy its creative life! The Fortress territory is open 24/7 to visitors. In general, you can walk on the main rampart and along inner streets here. Fans of an extreme tourism can explore various outside fortifications and underground galleries, as well as meet the bats. In the Fortress you can visit Mark Rothko Art Centre (contemporary arts), the exhibition hall of historical costume, purchase local souvenirs at two shops, eat at the cafe, organize conference. /Daugavpils Fortress Culture & Information Centre/
Reviewed By MartinRHor - Riga, Latvia
A fascinating place with an interesting history. It is a combination of very well restored buildings put to variety of uses, historic buildings slowly deteriorating and begging for restoration and horrible soviet blocks. Some buildings are home. You can walk around the top old fortifications and get an idea of the scale of the place. The fact that we’ll before it was completed Napoleon failed to conquer it is testament to the effective design of this type of fortification. It is well worth a trip to see it.
9. Ruins of the Rezekne Castle Hill
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 38 reviews
Castle Ruins, situated on the hill by the river are the reminders of the ancient fortified residence of ancient Latgalians which existed there from the 9th to 13th centuries. At the end of the 13th century Livonian castle was built (Rozitten castle). The castle was situated in a strategically important place, so the Russians, Lithuanians, Poles were seeking to conquer the castle, but it was completely destroyed during the Polish–Swedish war (1656–1660).
Reviewed By anaskoi - Sofia, Bulgaria
I recommend it! It is something to see. And one can enjoy the contrast between the contemporary building Zeimuls opposite the ancient ruins of Rezekne castle. When I visited it with my girlfriend, it was a nice sunny weather and there was even a Big cleanup, organized by the locals. But it is sth to see. Just when you are going to Latvia- a pice of advice from me- combine your trip- Rīga, Jūrmala, Daugavpils, Rēzekne and Aglonq bazilika
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