Daugavpils Fortress

Daugavpils, Latvia

Daugavpils Fortress, also known as Dinaburg Fortress is the only early 19th century military fortification of its kind in Northern Europe that has been preserved without significant alterations. For a long time it was a defense base of the western frontier of the Russian Empire. Planning of the fortress began in 1772 by decree of Tsar Alexander I of Russia, shortly after the First Partition of Poland when Latvia ceded to Russia and construction began during Napoleon"s attack of the Russian Empire in 1810. In 1812, the fortress was attacked by the French Army of 24,000 men. The fortress was still under construction and was defended by 3300 men and 200 cannons.

Construction of the fortress, despite lengthy delays, serious floodings and slow construction work, was completed in 1878. Latvian independence was officially recognised by Soviet Russia in 1920 and between 1920 and 1940 the fortress became home of the Latvian army. During World War II, the hostage camp Stalag 340 was set up in the fortress.

Today fortress is the site of the Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art centre.

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Details

Founded: 1772-1878
Category: Castles and fortifications in Latvia
Historical period: Part of the Russian Empire (Latvia)

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Lisa Mayer (2 years ago)
Historical place, very interesting. We took a guide tour with Ivars, he was fantastic and could answer all our questions.
Mindaugas Eiva (2 years ago)
Beautiful place with a lot old buildings, pretty quiet too.
Edgars Rutkovskis (2 years ago)
Beatiful and historic place. Has remainings of the Fortress and some other old buildings. Nice walk around, although why only 4 stars. Despite having a museum of art, medicine, and war, it feels like it hasn't been used to its full potential. Some work needs to be done on some of the old buildings which are in ruins, which could be used for other cultural or entertaining purposes. Ofcourse it might also be a slight mood killer that it has local residents sharing the routes and part of the grounds of the Fortress. Nevertheless worth your visitx entry into the inside of the fortnerr is free, you can just come in. Hope to see see some potential future development!
Valward Sellum (3 years ago)
A must visit place! Impressive layout and very well preserved!
Žilvinas P. (3 years ago)
"Daugavpils Fortress, also known as Dinaburg Fortress or Dvinsk Fortress, is an early 19th century fortress in Daugavpils, Latvia. It is the only early 19th century military fortification of its kind in Northern Europe that has been preserved without significant alterations. The construction of the fortress began in 1810 by decree of Tsar Alexander I of Russia, in the atmosphere of increased tension before Napoleon's invasion of the Russian Empire in 1812. Construction of the fortress, due to Napoleon's invasion, lengthy delays, serious floodings and slow construction work, was fully completed only in 1878."
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