Rezekne. The heart of Latgale. Rezekne: right bank and castle City of Rezekne Latvia
On the map of Latvia, Rezekne is located virtually in the middle of the Rezekne region, however, being its administrative center, the city is not part of the region.
City information
Rezekne is called the “heart of Latgale” – a cultural and historical region in the east of the country. From here to the Russian border is 50 kilometers. This is one of the few Latvian cities where you can hear live Latgalian speech on the streets.
It is also called the “city on seven hills.” The city is divided in half by the Rezekne River, which connects the two largest Latvian lakes - Lubans and Razna. Within the city limits there is Lake Kovšu, from which flows the Kovšupe River, which flows into Rezekne.
Attractions Rezekne
The towns of Rezekne in Latvia capture the centuries-old history of the city, which has always been inhabited by people of different nationalities and religions. Historical buildings and modern architecture, monuments, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant churches - there really is something to see in Rezekne.
- Ruins of Rositten Castle. Ruins of the Order Castle on Castle Hill. There is a park around, a restaurant and a summer theater. Across the road, a model of Rositten Castle is on display. The tourist information center is located nearby, at st. Krasta, 31.
- "Zemuls"– center of creative services in Eastern Latvia. A monument of modern architecture, an unusually shaped building with a “green roof”. Creative and educational activities for young people are held here.
- Latgale Cultural and Historical Museum. Located in the city center, along Atbrivoshanas Alley. The museum displays the largest collection of Latgalian ceramics in Latvia - more than 2000 items.
- House of Arts. Originally a merchant house of the Vorobyov family, built at the end of the 19th century. Currently, paintings by Latgale artists from the collections of the Latgale Cultural and Historical Museum are exhibited in the House of Arts.
- (“United for Latvia”). Monument in honor of the unification of Latvia and Latgale. Located in the very center of the city. The monument was built by Karlis Jansons, and was restored in the early 90s. The sculptor's son Andrejs Jansons was engaged in the work.
- Monument to Anton Kukoys. Monument to the famous Latvian writer, artist, director and actor in front of the Latgale Cultural and Historical Museum.
- Cathedral of the Heart of Jesus. Cathedral on the ancient street of Latgale. Its stained glass windows and carved altars are a real work of art.
- Rezekne Green Synagogue. The only wooden synagogue in Latvia that was not damaged during the Second World War. The premises of the synagogue display exhibitions dedicated to the history of the Jewish community of Latgale and Jewish traditions.
- . The cathedral is in the very center of the city, a hundred meters from the Latgale Mary.
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity. Red brick church near the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Sufferings. The church is in the city center, on Atbrivošanas Alley.
- . Built at the Old Believer cemetery. The largest bell in Latvia is located here.
Holidays and events
Throughout the year, citizens and visitors enjoy a variety of events in the city's concert halls and outdoors.
Since 2013, it has been held in Rezekne International Short Film Festival. In the fall, the Step by Step theater festival takes place.
Celebrate in Rezekne in spring Art Days And Potters' Days, in September - Baroque Music Days.
Celebrations take place in city parks - Festival Park, where the House of Culture is located, in the City Park of Culture and Recreation.
In Rezekne there is the Latgale Embassy GORS (translated from Latgalian as “Spirit”), which is also a multifunctional center. The building is interestingly integrated into the landscape between Kovšupe and Rezekne. Cultural life is thriving here: they give concerts and performances, organize film shows, hold seminars and conferences, and the embassy restaurants introduce tourists to Latgalian cuisine.
Rezekne Hotels
The town of Rezekne offers a large selection of hotels and hostels.
Along the central alley of Atbrivošanas, a stone's throw from the Latgale Mary, there is Hotel Latgale.
On the bank of the Rezekne River in a historical building is located Kolonna Hotel Rezekne. This is the city center, the corner of Brivibas street and Atbrivošanas alley. Lake Kovshu is 300 m from here. The hotel offers 41 rooms for 86 people. IN restaurant "Rosalia" Latgale themed evenings are held.
On Raina Street, next to the Culture and Recreation Park, there is Hostel Latvijas Sarkana Krusta Viesnica.
Along the street leading from the Rezekne I railway station, away from the noisy center, is located Hotel Restart for 29 rooms. Nearby is the bank of the Rezekne River.
In addition, in different parts of the city you can rent apartments offered by the VIN service agency.
To the east of the city on the banks of Rezekne and next to the A12 highway is located guesthouse Zala Sala. To the south, near the P55 highway, there is a guest house Starosciki Lejaskalns. The guest house has a beautiful garden.
Weather in Rezekne
Rezekne, like the rest of the city, is located in a temperate climate zone, so there is a pronounced change of seasons. In autumn, a slight plus remains until November; it gets colder by December. The coldest month is February (average temperature during the day is -8°C, at night -13°C), spring comes in March, it finally gets warmer in May, and the warmest month is July (average temperature during the day +23°C).
How to get there?
In the southwest of the city there is the Rezekne I railway station, in the northern part there is the Rezekne II station. Trains arriving here from Vilnius, Moscow-Rizhskaya and St. Petersburg-Vitebsk.
From these same cities, as well as from, you can get to Rezekne by bus.
There is public transport in the city - buses from the Rezeknes Satiksme company.
Rezekne is a large Latvian city located in the east of the country. It stands on several very picturesque hills, on the river of the same name. Rezekne is also called the heart of Latgale (one of the four historical and cultural regions of Latvia).
Until the 13th century, Latgalians lived in these places. In 1285, Wilhelm von Schauerburg (Master of the Livonian Order) built Rositten Castle here. This date is considered the year of foundation of the city, which until 1893 was also called Rositten (and until 1917 and in 1944-45 - Rezhitsa).
Today Rezekne is one of the largest centers in the region. In the city itself and its surroundings, many historical monuments have been preserved, so tourists have something to see here. conducive to walking. But autumn and spring are usually rainy and cold. In addition, Latgale itself is considered a land of lakes, which attracts nature lovers to these places.
Rezekne: how to get there
The city is a major transport hub in eastern Latvia. Two national highways - A12 and A13 - run through Rezekne, and regional highways P36, P54, P55 also converge here. By car you can get to Rezekne along the listed routes both from Latvian cities and from Russian cities.
You can get to Rezekne by rail from both Latvian cities and Russian cities (48 stations in total). In particular, there are trains from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Pskov, and Velikiye Luki.
Buses that go to Vilnius, Moscow, and St. Petersburg stop at the Rezekne bus station. You can also get to by bus.
Cafes and restaurants in the city
Tourists coming to Rezekne need not worry - they will not go hungry. There are many establishments in the city where you can have a quick snack or a leisurely lunch. Everywhere is clean, cozy, European-civilized. The range of prices ranges from quite affordable to very high, depending on the class of the establishment. The cuisine is also different, both European and national. Many establishments offer free Wi-Fi, business lunches, helpful staff everywhere, menus for every taste, a variety of pastries, and service for tourist groups.
Prices for travelers in Rezekne
In Rezekne there are several hotels of European level, the doors of which are always hospitably open to tourists.
In particular, Kolonna Hotel Rezekne, which is very popular due to its convenient location. City guests who choose this hotel will receive not only high-quality service, but also easy access to all the city’s attractions. Even the most discerning travelers will be satisfied with both the service and the level of comfort. Cost of living at Kolonna Hotel Rezekne: standard single room - from 2,000 rubles, standard double - from 2,900 rubles, triple - from 3,700 rubles, superior studio - from 3,300 rubles.
Viesu nams Rūmes is a guest house located in a green, quiet area near a picturesque pond. Cost of living - from 1,950 to 2,500 rubles.
In the city center is Latgale, a three-star hotel that can accommodate up to 120 guests. Cost of living - from 2,700 rubles. per night.
Souvenirs and gifts
Since Rezekne is a Latvian city, here you can buy traditional souvenirs and gifts that will remind you of your visit to this hospitable country. What's worth mentioning first?
Naturally, amber and original jewelry made from it. All this is very inexpensive, and you can buy these souvenirs in literally every store or stall.
Various souvenirs made of leather and wood, as well as famous ceramics produced by local artisans: book covers, bookmarks, wallets, notebooks, baskets, candlesticks, mugs. The souvenirs are very beautiful and almost everyone can afford them.
Latvia is famous for its handmade products made from natural wool and linen (tablecloths, socks, gloves, sweaters, etc.), Ogre knitwear (high quality, affordable prices), Lauma lingerie, Dzintars cosmetics.
Products from Latvia usually include the famous Riga balsam, local beer, various fish, smoked chicken, Latvian bread, curd cheeses and dairy products in general, cookies, candies, etc.
What you should definitely see in Rezekne
The main attractions of Rezekne are the amazingly beautiful churches and cathedrals, which are worth, if not visiting, then at least examining from the outside. These are the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity (1938), the Cathedral of the Heart of Jesus (1888), the Catholic Church of the Passion of Our Lady (1936), the Old Believer Prayer House of St. Nicholas (1895), the Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (1846 .).
Other interesting sites include Castle Hill, the “United for Latvia” (“Latgale Mara”) monument, which is a symbol of Rezekne, and the ruins of the ancient Rositten castle (1285).
The Latgale Museum of Cultural History houses a huge collection of ceramics, one of the richest in the country. The history of pottery, styles and fashions of different eras - you can learn about all this by visiting the museum. And in general, local ceramics are the best souvenir you can bring from Rezekne.
Beautiful places around Rezekne
As already mentioned, Latgale is called the land of blue lakes. This also applies to the surroundings of Rezekne - the “heart” of Latgale. In the Rezekne region there are lakes Lubana and Razna, the largest not only in the surrounding area, but throughout Latvia. In addition, here are places that were glorified in legends - ancient settlements and sanctuaries.
The surroundings of Lake Rāzna are a protected natural site, which was created with the aim of protecting both the local fauna and flora, and the most picturesque shores of the lake, which is called the “Latgalian sea”.
Huge flocks of swans gather on Lake Lubana during migration. Although many wild ducks and geese live here, it is the swans that gather in the fall and spring that make an unforgettable impression on tourists. According to ornithologists, Lubana is home to up to 225 species of different birds.
The lakes around Rezekne also attract fishing enthusiasts. Here you can fish with a fishing rod, spinning rod, and organize spearfishing. Fishermen can stay in guest houses.
In the vicinity of Lake Razna there is Mount Makonkalns. This is one of the highest points in Latgale (247.9 meters), from which amazing views open up. Another name is Celestial Empire.
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Flag of Rezekne |
Coat of arms of Rezekne |
| A country | Latvia |
| Status | city of republican subordination |
| Region | Latgale |
| Square | 17.48 km² |
| City with | 1773 |
| Postal codes | LV-4601 LV-4604 |
| Density | 1979.2 people/km² |
| Population | 34,596 people (2011) |
| First mention | 12th century |
| Timezone | UTC+2, in summer UTC+3 |
| Confessional composition | Catholics, Orthodox, Old Believers, Protestants |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: 56°30′24″ N. w. 27°19′51″ E. d. / 56.506667° n. w. 27.330833° E. d. (G) (O) (I)56°30′24″ N. w. 27°19′51″ E. d. / 56.506667° n. w. 27.330833° E. d. (G) (O) (I) |
| Internal division | 6 districts |
| National composition | Russians 50.7%, Latgalians and Latvians 42.6%, Poles 2.7%, Belarusians 1.7%, Ukrainians 1.3% |
| Official site | http://www.rezekne.lv (Latvian) (Russian) (English) |
| Mayor | Alexander Bartashevich |
| Based | 1285 |
| Telephone code | (+371) 646 |
| Former names | Rositten (until 1893) Rezhitsa (1893-1917; 1944-1945) |
| Climate type | temperate continental |
| Code ATVK | 0210000 |
| Center height | 158.2 m |
Rezekne (Latvian Rzekne, Latvian Rzne), until 1893 - Rositten (German Rositten), until 1917 and in 1944-1945 the official name Rezhitsa (Russian doref. Rzhitsa) - a city in Latvia. “The Heart of Latgale”, a city built on seven hills.
Rezekne is one of the largest transport hubs in Latvia, as well as the economic, cultural and educational center of Eastern Latvia.
Notable residents
Historical figures born or lived in Rezekne:
Tourism
Among the attractions are:
- Old Believer prayer house of St. Nicholas (1895)
- Rezeknes burial ground
- Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity (1938)
- Francis Trasuns Museum "Kolnasata"
- Latgale Cultural and Historical Museum (1861)
- Ruins of the ancient German castle Rositten
- Catholic Church of Our Lady of Sufferings (1936)
- Cathedral of the Heart of Jesus (1888)
- An ancient icon in an Old Believer chapel
- Feretron with a painting in the Church of the Heart of Jesus
- Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1846)
Twin Cities
- Vitebsk (Belarus)
- Lianozovo (Russia)
Story
Until the 13th century, there was a Latgalian settlement on the site of Castle Hill. In 1285, Master of the Livonian Order Wilhelm von Schauerburg built a well-fortified castle here from large moraine boulders, calling it Rositten.
The fortress was repeatedly attacked by Russians, Lithuanians, and Poles. By the 17th century, the castle was so destroyed that it was not restored. And only in the 20th century a park was laid out near the ruins, a summer theater and a restaurant were built.
The first plan of the city of Rezhitsa in 1778 was approved by Catherine II. The city began to grow, but judging by the historical documents of 1808, “There is only one street in it; there is not a single artisan, no fairs, no supplies of life; there are 754 inhabitants there, of which 536 are Jews...”. The city began to develop intensively only after the construction of the Warsaw - St. Petersburg railway.
In Rezekne, something of the ancient Jewish quarter has been preserved. Its main building was the synagogue. A synagogue is not a temple, so luxury was not appropriate for the building. But in Rezekne the miserable position of the synagogue was explained by the financial constraints of the Jewish population.
During the time of the Russian Empire, the inhabitants of Rezhitsa and Latgale in general were long considered either Poles or Russians. At the end of the 19th century, the term “Vitebsk Latvians” came into use, since Latgale was part of the Vitebsk province. In 1920, following the results of the Riga Peace Treaty, the lands of the Latgalians became part of the new state - Latvia. And the Latgalians “after a 256-year separation from the rest of Latvia, reunited within ancient ethnic boundaries with their fellow tribesmen, while preserving their established cultural identity.”
Rezekne is located at the crossroads of international routes: Riga (242 km) - Moscow (685 km), St. Petersburg (450 km) - Warsaw (860 km). The Rezekne River winds through the city with a length of 10 km, and Lake Kovšu (22 hectares) glistens in its center. Rezekne is called the city on seven hills. The area of the city is 17.48 km² (16% - green spaces and water bodies). Population - 29,948 people (as of 2014).
Ancient and modern city of Rezekne
Rezekne has been inhabited since the 9th -13th centuries, when a wooden castle of the ancient Latgalians rose on a hill located near the river bank. Rezekne was first mentioned in documents in 1285 (in German - Rositten). The current name of the city of Rezekne was approved in 1920.
In the post-war years, Rezekne developed as an important industrial city - in 1957 the Rezekne Milk Canning Plant was built, whose products, especially condensed milk, were known throughout the world. In 1962 – “Rezekne Milking Plant Plant”, in 1971 – “Rezekne Electric Tools Plant” (REBIR) and others. At the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century, new enterprises were also created - Rēzekne Meat Processing Plant, "Rēzeknes dzirnavnieks" and other enterprises.
After the restoration of Latvian independence in 1991, the city of Rezekne became the center of cultural activity in Latgale, and today is the center of Latgale Catholic clergy, culture and education in Latgale, a city in which many languages and nationalities coexist.
Attractions:
- Latgale Embassy "GORS". One of the best places in the Baltics for acoustic concerts. GORS is always bustling and lively - it hosts concerts, theater performances, art exhibitions, cinema, seminars and conferences, as well as a restaurant and playroom for children.
- Center for Creative Services of Eastern Latvia “ZEIMUĻS”. The building has one of the largest green roofs in the Baltic countries. Visually, the towers of the building resemble two pencils decorated with Latvian ornaments. “Zeimuļs” hosts hobby and non-formal education classes for children and youth.
- Rezekne fortification and castle ruins. The ruins of the castle are the oldest historical monument. From the 9th to the 12th century, on a hill near the river bank there was a wooden castle of ancient Latgalians and a camp nearby. Legend has it that Princess Rose lives in a dungeon under the ruins of the castle, awaiting her release from witchcraft.
- Monument "Vienoti Latvijai". The Latgale Liberation Monument (popularly called “Latgales Māra”) is a symbol of Rezekne. Dedicated to participants in the battles for the freedom of Latvia in 1920 and reflects the idea of the people’s desire to form and defend their Latvia.
- Latgale Cultural and Historical Museum. In the museum you can get to know the history of the city more deeply, enjoy various art exhibitions, an exhibition of Latgalian ceramics and take part in creative activities. In the park near the museum you can also take a photo at the monument erected to the famous Latgalian poet, artist, actor and director Anton Kukois (1940-2007).
Events
We invite you to visit:
- in April - on the Latgale potters' days, when demonstrations of samples and meetings with masters are held in ceramicists' workshops, ceramics are fired in kilns,
- in May – at the landmark “SevenHills” art and music festival, any visitor will be able to enjoy alternative music concerts, artistic works and take part in the “Night of Museums” event,
- in June - for the joint celebration of Ligo until dawn,
- in July – to the ethno-festival “GOSTI”, which brings together local groups of different nationalities and those arriving from neighboring countries,
- in August – on the holiday of the city of Rezekne,
- in September – for the Days of Baroque Music, for the theater festival “Step by Step” (“Soli pa solim”),
- in November – to the people's race “Breathe In Rezekne!” and dedicated to the national holiday, a traditional exhibition of works by artists from Latgale “Autumn” (“Rudens”),
- throughout the year - to concerts, theater performances, art exhibitions, creative activities and markets.
Public transport
Rezekne is easily accessible by car, bus and train. Rezekne has direct bus service with Riga, Daugavpils, Vilnius, Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities. Rezekne has direct railway connections with Riga, Vilnius, Moscow and St. Petersburg.
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