Easy
3.0
(1)
7
hikers
Mikhail Gate – Daugavpils Fortress Cannons loop from Daugavpils
01:21
5.29km
20m
Hiking
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: February 27, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
1.91 km
Daugavpils Fortress External Fortifications
Highlight • Historical Site
In order to prevent the enemy from
approaching the main rampart of
the fortress, its walls were detached
from the external fortifications with
the help of a moat. In case of an
attack the moat could be flooded
with water. In the moat, six reduits
(inner fortification, shelter) were
built fortified with earth ravelins
(triangle-shaped constructions), but
bastions were covered by contregardes
that were reinforced by
artillery caponiers.
In addition three redoubts (closed
fortifications) were built in the
fortress esplanade some way from
the moat; two of them have been
preserved till modern days.
To view the external fortification
part, use the thematic route
“Defender’s Track” (on the main
rampart) or “Scout’s Track” (through
the moat) – follow the indications
on the map that can be obtained
at the Daugavpils Fortress Culture
and Information Centre (Nikolaja
Street 5).
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
approaching the main rampart of
the fortress, its walls were detached
from the external fortifications with
the help of a moat. In case of an
attack the moat could be flooded
with water. In the moat, six reduits
(inner fortification, shelter) were
built fortified with earth ravelins
(triangle-shaped constructions), but
bastions were covered by contregardes
that were reinforced by
artillery caponiers.
In addition three redoubts (closed
fortifications) were built in the
fortress esplanade some way from
the moat; two of them have been
preserved till modern days.
To view the external fortification
part, use the thematic route
“Defender’s Track” (on the main
rampart) or “Scout’s Track” (through
the moat) – follow the indications
on the map that can be obtained
at the Daugavpils Fortress Culture
and Information Centre (Nikolaja
Street 5).
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
Tip by
2
2.03 km
Mikhail Gate
Highlight • Historical Site
The Mikhail gate was built in 1820-
1821 and is created after the Franz
fort gate of the Prussian Koblenz
fortress. The massive external
granite façade is nowadays still
decorated with the stone-cut
depiction of the Russian Imperial
two-headed eagle. Pay attention
to two arched grooves in the inner
passageway – exactly like in the
Nicholas gate, also here in case of
continued defence, the plan was to
close the passageway with stones
and sandbags with the help of
transverse crossbars. The Mikhail
passageway consisted of three
wood bridges with bascule sections
– from the Mikhail gate to the arch
gate of the 7th semi contre-garde,
but from the arch gate – to the right
front of the 6th ravelin, and further
on – from the barrier gate of the
6th ravelin corps de garde to the
road going through Esplanade to
the modern-day city centre. In 1850
inscriptions with gate names were
placed on facades of all the gates
according to the edict of Grand
Duke Mikhail – Artillery Chief of the
whole Empire – in honour of whom
this gate was named.
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
1821 and is created after the Franz
fort gate of the Prussian Koblenz
fortress. The massive external
granite façade is nowadays still
decorated with the stone-cut
depiction of the Russian Imperial
two-headed eagle. Pay attention
to two arched grooves in the inner
passageway – exactly like in the
Nicholas gate, also here in case of
continued defence, the plan was to
close the passageway with stones
and sandbags with the help of
transverse crossbars. The Mikhail
passageway consisted of three
wood bridges with bascule sections
– from the Mikhail gate to the arch
gate of the 7th semi contre-garde,
but from the arch gate – to the right
front of the 6th ravelin, and further
on – from the barrier gate of the
6th ravelin corps de garde to the
road going through Esplanade to
the modern-day city centre. In 1850
inscriptions with gate names were
placed on facades of all the gates
according to the edict of Grand
Duke Mikhail – Artillery Chief of the
whole Empire – in honour of whom
this gate was named.
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
Tip by
3
2.22 km
Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre
Highlight • Monument
Mark Rothko Art Centre is located in
the building of the artillery arsenal
(1830-1833). It is a place where the
past has regained its second wind
and is in step with the time, thus
creating a unique place for varied
creative manifestations.
Some day the place was used to
keep cannons, ammunition wagons
and prodgy, swords and rifles,
regimental colours and drums. The
building is architectural monument
of State significance.
In the Art Centre one can see
the original pieces of the worldknown
artist Mark Rothko, born in
Daugavpils, as well as to visit the
exposition devoted to this artist.
Mark Rothko (b. Marcus Rothkowitz)
was born September 25, 1903. In
1913 his family emigrated to the
United States of America. He is
one of the most outstanding and
remarkable artists of the second half
of the 20th century, founder of the
abstract expressionism movement.
In the art centre it is also possible to
visit changing personal and group
exhibitions of well-known Latgalian,
Latvian and foreign artists. The total
surface of the exhibition halls is
2000 m2.
One may visit expositions and
exhibitions independently or
accompanied by a guide. The tour
around all art centre exhibitions
takes 1 hour and 30 minutes, the
tour of the A sector (M. Rothko
biography and creative works) takes
45 minutes. The art centre also
offers ordering tours around the
fortress. Tours can be ordered by
phone: +371 654 30279,
+371 65430273, +371 20364226.
Opening hours of Mark Rothko Art
Centre:
Monday – closed;
Tuesday and Sunday – from 11:00
to 17:00;
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and
Saturday – from 11:00 to 19:00.
Mihaila Street 3. +371 654 30 253
rotkocentrs.lv, rotkocentrs@
daugavpils.lv
the building of the artillery arsenal
(1830-1833). It is a place where the
past has regained its second wind
and is in step with the time, thus
creating a unique place for varied
creative manifestations.
Some day the place was used to
keep cannons, ammunition wagons
and prodgy, swords and rifles,
regimental colours and drums. The
building is architectural monument
of State significance.
In the Art Centre one can see
the original pieces of the worldknown
artist Mark Rothko, born in
Daugavpils, as well as to visit the
exposition devoted to this artist.
Mark Rothko (b. Marcus Rothkowitz)
was born September 25, 1903. In
1913 his family emigrated to the
United States of America. He is
one of the most outstanding and
remarkable artists of the second half
of the 20th century, founder of the
abstract expressionism movement.
In the art centre it is also possible to
visit changing personal and group
exhibitions of well-known Latgalian,
Latvian and foreign artists. The total
surface of the exhibition halls is
2000 m2.
One may visit expositions and
exhibitions independently or
accompanied by a guide. The tour
around all art centre exhibitions
takes 1 hour and 30 minutes, the
tour of the A sector (M. Rothko
biography and creative works) takes
45 minutes. The art centre also
offers ordering tours around the
fortress. Tours can be ordered by
phone: +371 654 30279,
+371 65430273, +371 20364226.
Opening hours of Mark Rothko Art
Centre:
Monday – closed;
Tuesday and Sunday – from 11:00
to 17:00;
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and
Saturday – from 11:00 to 19:00.
Mihaila Street 3. +371 654 30 253
rotkocentrs.lv, rotkocentrs@
daugavpils.lv
Tip by
4
2.33 km
Daugavpils Fortress Cannons
Highlight • Monument
Today history in the fortress
territory is witnessed by historical
large-calibre cannons. In these
days nine old cannons can be
found here: five of them are from
cast-iron, while four – made from
steel. They were manufactured in
the second half of the 19th century
in an ordnance plant in Perm and
in Obukhov steel casting plant
(Russia).
All cannons are made with
threading in a gun tube, which
increased the range of a missile
and improved accuracy and close
pattern of shooting.
Two of the cannons are placed
at the main entrance of the
Commandant’s house facing the
fortress garden. In the very middle
of the garden three cannons enrich
the fountain.
The steel mortar gun (bore diameter
205 mm, model of 1872) of the
fortress is placed on the “Wallgang”
(a protected place on the upper part
of a rampart) of the main rampart
curtain between the Nicholas gate
and the 7th bastion – in the way
how cannons were placed when
the fortress switched to defence
emergency. One more steel cannon
with the bore diameter of 107 mm
(model of 1887) on the original
Venglovski gun-mount is placed
at the intersection of the streets
Imperatora and Konstantīna.
Two steel artillery tubes were
installed at Hekeļa Street 3, yet now
they are moved to a warehouse
belonging to the building proprietor.
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
territory is witnessed by historical
large-calibre cannons. In these
days nine old cannons can be
found here: five of them are from
cast-iron, while four – made from
steel. They were manufactured in
the second half of the 19th century
in an ordnance plant in Perm and
in Obukhov steel casting plant
(Russia).
All cannons are made with
threading in a gun tube, which
increased the range of a missile
and improved accuracy and close
pattern of shooting.
Two of the cannons are placed
at the main entrance of the
Commandant’s house facing the
fortress garden. In the very middle
of the garden three cannons enrich
the fountain.
The steel mortar gun (bore diameter
205 mm, model of 1872) of the
fortress is placed on the “Wallgang”
(a protected place on the upper part
of a rampart) of the main rampart
curtain between the Nicholas gate
and the 7th bastion – in the way
how cannons were placed when
the fortress switched to defence
emergency. One more steel cannon
with the bore diameter of 107 mm
(model of 1887) on the original
Venglovski gun-mount is placed
at the intersection of the streets
Imperatora and Konstantīna.
Two steel artillery tubes were
installed at Hekeļa Street 3, yet now
they are moved to a warehouse
belonging to the building proprietor.
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
Tip by
5
2.46 km
Nicholas Gate (Daugavpils Fortress)
Highlight • Historical Site
The Daugavpils Fortress is the only early 19th century military fortification of its kind in Northern Europe that has been preserved without major alterations.
The Nicholas gate is one of the four gates of the Dinaburg fortress, located in the city of Daugavpils (Latvia).
The Nicholas gate is one of the four gates of the Dinaburg fortress, located in the city of Daugavpils (Latvia).
Tip by
6
2.52 km
Daugavpils Fortress Water Tower and Information Centre
Highlight • Monument
After finishing the renovation
works in 2011, Daugavpils Fortress
Culture and Information Centre
was established in the former Water
Tower building. Once the building
that was built in 1865-1866 assured
water supply system for the whole
fortress. The vessel of 3000 buckets
in volume located in the building
was filled from three wells on the
bank of the River Daugava using a
steam-driven machine. The vessel
has been preserved till nowadays in
a very good condition, and till now it
is a part of the industrial heritage of
this building.
The centre offers the main
information on the fortress history,
current events and development
plans. Here one can see a small
exposition presenting historical
drawings, photos, military uniforms
and artefacts that have been found
in the fortress during previous years.
The working office of the fortress
administrator – modern civil
“commandant” – is also located in
the Water Tower building.
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
works in 2011, Daugavpils Fortress
Culture and Information Centre
was established in the former Water
Tower building. Once the building
that was built in 1865-1866 assured
water supply system for the whole
fortress. The vessel of 3000 buckets
in volume located in the building
was filled from three wells on the
bank of the River Daugava using a
steam-driven machine. The vessel
has been preserved till nowadays in
a very good condition, and till now it
is a part of the industrial heritage of
this building.
The centre offers the main
information on the fortress history,
current events and development
plans. Here one can see a small
exposition presenting historical
drawings, photos, military uniforms
and artefacts that have been found
in the fortress during previous years.
The working office of the fortress
administrator – modern civil
“commandant” – is also located in
the Water Tower building.
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
Tip by
7
2.67 km
1st Coastal Lunette, Daugavpils Fortress
Highlight • Historical Site
In order to prevent the enemy from
approaching the main rampart of
the fortress, its walls were detached
from the external fortifications with
the help of a moat. In case of an
attack the moat could be flooded
with water. In the moat, six reduits
(inner fortification, shelter) were
built fortified with earth ravelins
(triangle-shaped constructions), but
bastions were covered by contregardes
that were reinforced by
artillery caponiers.
In addition three redoubts (closed
fortifications) were built in the
fortress esplanade some way from
the moat; two of them have been
preserved till modern days.
To view the external fortification
part, use the thematic route
“Defender’s Track” (on the main
rampart) or “Scout’s Track” (through
the moat) – follow the indications
on the map that can be obtained
at the Daugavpils Fortress Culture
and Information Centre (Nikolaja
Street 5).
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
approaching the main rampart of
the fortress, its walls were detached
from the external fortifications with
the help of a moat. In case of an
attack the moat could be flooded
with water. In the moat, six reduits
(inner fortification, shelter) were
built fortified with earth ravelins
(triangle-shaped constructions), but
bastions were covered by contregardes
that were reinforced by
artillery caponiers.
In addition three redoubts (closed
fortifications) were built in the
fortress esplanade some way from
the moat; two of them have been
preserved till modern days.
To view the external fortification
part, use the thematic route
“Defender’s Track” (on the main
rampart) or “Scout’s Track” (through
the moat) – follow the indications
on the map that can be obtained
at the Daugavpils Fortress Culture
and Information Centre (Nikolaja
Street 5).
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
Tip by
B
5.29 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
4.02 km
374 m
310 m
291 m
261 m
Surfaces
2.43 km
2.37 km
190 m
139 m
118 m
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Wednesday 20 May
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11°C
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Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h
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