Daugavpils, State city in eastern Latvia
Daugavpils sits on the river that gives it its name in the eastern part of Latvia and ranks as the second-largest city in the country. The city spreads across a broad area between forests and fields and keeps an atmosphere of its own away from the main tourist routes.
The place was founded in the 13th century as a fortress and changed hands several times over the centuries between different powers. The modern city developed in the 19th century into an important transport junction and industrial center.
The Rothko Museum in Daugavpils contains the sole collection of original works by Mark Rothko in Eastern Europe, displaying local and international art.
The city is reachable by train from Riga and serves as a hub for connections to Russia and Belarus. Most sights lie in the center or near the fortress and can be reached on foot or by local buses.
A museum in the old arsenal displays works by the painter Mark Rothko, who was born here and later became known in the United States. The 19th-century fortress is among the few preserved examples of its kind in Northern Europe and is now used for cultural events.
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