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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Address

Komandanta iela 7, Daugavpils, Latvia
See all sites in Daugavpils

Details

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

More Information

www.latvia.travel
www.visitdaugavpils.lv
en.wikipedia.org
www.daugavpils.lv

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Dinaburga Castle Ruins (14,6 km)
Preili Palace (46,9 km)

User Reviews

Paul (55 days ago)
Aside the massive and quite beautiful door, the fortress is not very interesting. I was confused to see some russian-style buildings inside the fortress, I was expecting more historic buildings and things to see.
Laima Nandi (2 months ago)
Amazing old area of militaries (from beginning of 19th century), huge territory. Buildings are partially renovated, only a few. Minus was that there are no signs where is what located, where are the most famous places like Rothko art Center. One have to discover himself. There are no explanatory signs with history information unfortunately. We read before in visitdaugavpils site, it was good. Place was almost empty in November Sunday day.
Basilica Kolegovs (4 months ago)
Many Layers of history with future horizonts...excelent experiance
Arnis Veidemanis (4 months ago)
Interesting that 1000 peaople are still living there. Theres is small micro village. Rotko was close in Monday, but must see is you are there!
Sabir Ilyasov (4 months ago)
Quiet place in Latvia!!
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Glimmingehus is the best preserved medieval stronghold in Scandinavia. It was built 1499-1506, during an era when Scania formed a vital part of Denmark, and contains many defensive arrangements of the era, such as parapets, false doors and dead-end corridors, 'murder-holes' for pouring boiling pitch over the attackers, moats, drawbridges and various other forms of death traps to surprise trespassers and protect the nobles against peasant uprisings. The lower part of the castle's stone walls are 2.4 meters (94 inches) thick and the upper part 1.8 meters (71 inches).

Construction was started in 1499 by the Danish knight Jens Holgersen Ulfstand and stone-cutter-mason and architect Adam van Düren, a North German master who also worked on Lund Cathedral. Construction was completed in 1506.

Ulfstand was a councillor, nobleman and admiral serving under John I of Denmark and many objects have been uncovered during archeological excavations that demonstrate the extravagant lifestyle of the knight's family at Glimmingehus up until Ulfstand's death in 1523. Some of the most expensive objects for sale in Europe during this period, such as Venetian glass, painted glass from the Rhine district and Spanish ceramics have been found here. Evidence of the family's wealth can also be seen inside the stone fortress, where everyday comforts for the knight's family included hot air channels in the walls and bench seats in the window recesses. Although considered comfortable for its period, it has also been argued that Glimmingehus was an expression of "Knighthood nostalgia" and not considered opulent or progressive enough even to the knight's contemporaries and especially not to later generations of the Scanian nobility. Glimmingehus is thought to have served as a residential castle for only a few generations before being transformed into a storage facility for grain.

An order from Charles XI to the administrators of the Swedish dominion of Scania in 1676 to demolish the castle, in order to ensure that it would not fall into the hands of the Danish king during the Scanian War, could not be executed. A first attempt, in which 20 Scanian farmers were ordered to assist, proved unsuccessful. An additional force of 130 men were sent to Glimmingehus to execute the order in a second attempt. However, before they could carry out the order, a Danish-Dutch naval division arrived in Ystad, and the Swedes had to abandon the demolition attempts. Throughout the 18th century the castle was used as deposit for agricultural produce and in 1924 it was donated to the Swedish state. Today it is administered by the Swedish National Heritage Board.

On site there is a museum, medieval kitchen, shop and restaurant and coffee house. During summer time there are several guided tours daily. In local folklore, the castle is described as haunted by multiple ghosts and the tradition of storytelling inspired by the castle is continued in the summer events at the castle called "Strange stories and terrifying tales".

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