- Address: Kurzeme district of Riga, Riga, LV-1016, Latvia;
- Built: in 1205;
- Opening hours: Sat, Sun. from 10:00 to 16:00.
A wonderful country Latvia can offer tourists a variety of cultural attractions that are of historical value. One of the most memorable objects is the Daugavgriva fortress.
Daugavgriv fortress - history
At the beginning of the 13th century, on the peninsula of the Daugava, between the Gulf of Riga and the left tributary of the Bullupe River, a monastery was erected by the Cistercian monks, which was called Dunamunde. Thus began the rich history of the great Daugavgriva fortress (Ust-Dvinsk).
At different times this fortress was attended by great military leaders, successful politicians and state leaders. Among them are Peter I, Alexander II, Nicholas II, Polish King Stefan Batory and King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden. For all of its history, the fortress has been constantly passing from the state to the state.
Its unique geographical location made it possible to control all vessels, both commercial and military, going to Riga , which made the fortress a tasty morsel for any state and order. Initially, along with the white monks in the church settled swordsmen, they collected tribute from passing ships. The walls of the temple were protected from the raids of the Scandinavian detachments. Later the monastery passed under the command of the Livonian Order. At that time the temple had already acquired defensive fortifications, which made it already resembling a fortress.
The fortress was constantly subjected to destruction, and each time it was rebuilt, rebuilding anew. From the original monastery and its defense, practically nothing remained. This was facilitated by the change of the Daugava riverbed, the river found a new outlet to the Gulf of Riga, which led to the construction of the Daugavgriva fortress in the new location where it is currently located.
In the beginning of the 17th century, the Swedes dominated the fortress, having conquered Riga. It was in those days that the main defensive fortifications were built, which still stand today. In the 1920s the fortress passed under the command of the Russian army. Strengthening of the walls continued in the times of Russian history of Dunamunde. Simultaneously, this important outpost for Russia has become a political agent of statesmen.
At the end of the XIX century, to the fortress, after laying railroad tracks, began to bring necessary materials for the modernization of the outpost according to the latest military developments. By the beginning of the First World War the Ust-Dvinsky fortress was the most fortified fortress of the Russian Empire. It housed a ten-thousand-strong army and a modern artillery arsenal. The fortress was inaccessible from the sea or from the land.
In 1917, during the retreat, the fortress was undermined by Russian troops, so as not to leave this military object to the Germans. Then the fortress passed from the Bolsheviks to the Estonians, and then to the White Guards. In Soviet times, the fortress became a secret military object. Next to it was built a military town.
Daugavgriva fortress in our days
To date, the Daugavgriva fortress is a monument of Latvian architecture and transferred to a commercial organization for restoration work. Literally in the near future the renewed fortress will be opened to tourists in all its power and majesty. Here will be guided tours of casemates and powder towers, will open observation platforms and museums, will break parks.
Now Daugavgriva fortress is a ruin, which anyone can visit. Tourists come here to be imbued with history, to touch the fortress of the beginning of the XVII century, wander through the collapsing walls and defensive structures. Against the background of dilapidated walls and shattered towers, excellent photographs are obtained that will adorn the collection of any traveler who has visited Latvia.
Part of the fortress belongs to the state, and the other part is transferred to the Latvian army. Restoration funds restore what is defined as an architectural monument. Part of the fortress works under the auspices of the Riga Port . Probably, soon enough the Latvian authorities will restore this place where great things were done by Germans and Poles, Swedes and Russian.
How to get to the Daugavgriva fortress?
The fortress can be easily reached by public transport - bus number 3, minibus and express train go to it. The stop called "Club", on which you need to get off, is after crossing the Bullupe channel. Daugavgriva fortress is located at a distance of 100 m from the stop.