Easy
2
hikers
Daugavpils Fortress Cannons loop from Daugavpils
01:49
7.10km
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: May 10, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
3.87 km
Alexander Gate of Daugavpils Fortress
Highlight • Historical Site
The similar-type Alexander and
Constantine gates were built in
1820-1822 on the basis of the
project presented by A. Shtaubert,
the in-service architect at the
Imperial Russia War ministry. All
the fortress gates had to have
this appearance. Though later
the appearance of other two
passageways was changed. The
Alexander gate is directed at Saint
Petersburg, while the Constantine
gate led to a summer hospital and
through it people could get on
the old Riga road. Unfortunately
in 1962 the gate named in honour
of the vicegerent of the Kingdom
of Poland Constantine was
destroyed due to the reason that it
was necessary to bring large-size
equipment into the territory of the
aviation school. Support elements
ensuring additional fastening
of closed gate wings from the
inside have been preserved in the
Alexander gate.
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
Constantine gates were built in
1820-1822 on the basis of the
project presented by A. Shtaubert,
the in-service architect at the
Imperial Russia War ministry. All
the fortress gates had to have
this appearance. Though later
the appearance of other two
passageways was changed. The
Alexander gate is directed at Saint
Petersburg, while the Constantine
gate led to a summer hospital and
through it people could get on
the old Riga road. Unfortunately
in 1962 the gate named in honour
of the vicegerent of the Kingdom
of Poland Constantine was
destroyed due to the reason that it
was necessary to bring large-size
equipment into the territory of the
aviation school. Support elements
ensuring additional fastening
of closed gate wings from the
inside have been preserved in the
Alexander gate.
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
Tip by
2
4.00 km
Engineer Arsenal, Daugavpils Fortress
Highlight • Historical Site
The impressive two-storey building
of the engineer arsenal is built
close to the Alexander gate most
probably from 1840 to 1844. The
length of the Empire-style external
façade of the three joint buildings
is 275 m. Surface of the building is
7000 m2. The courtyard is 2000
m2 large. The former arsenal
building is architectural monument
of State significance. The building
has preserved its ramps (rampants)
going to the second floor of the
building from the yard.
The engineer arsenal was used to
make and repair armament supplies,
tooling for fortification and combat
engineer measures. The building
included paint, carpenter, wheel,
turners, woodworking, locksmiths,
casting, drawing, pattern and other
shops.
For the time being there is not
enough information on the use of
the building from 1918 to 1947.
During the Soviet years the building
was used as job training workshops
and garages. Since 1993 the
building is not used anymore and is
decaying. It is expected that in future
the building could house a museum
of Daugavpils fortress history.
Imperatora Street 8
of the engineer arsenal is built
close to the Alexander gate most
probably from 1840 to 1844. The
length of the Empire-style external
façade of the three joint buildings
is 275 m. Surface of the building is
7000 m2. The courtyard is 2000
m2 large. The former arsenal
building is architectural monument
of State significance. The building
has preserved its ramps (rampants)
going to the second floor of the
building from the yard.
The engineer arsenal was used to
make and repair armament supplies,
tooling for fortification and combat
engineer measures. The building
included paint, carpenter, wheel,
turners, woodworking, locksmiths,
casting, drawing, pattern and other
shops.
For the time being there is not
enough information on the use of
the building from 1918 to 1947.
During the Soviet years the building
was used as job training workshops
and garages. Since 1993 the
building is not used anymore and is
decaying. It is expected that in future
the building could house a museum
of Daugavpils fortress history.
Imperatora Street 8
Tip by
3
4.09 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
4
4.24 km
Officer Houses, Daugavpils Fortress
Highlight • Historical Site
Houses for officers were built in
the 1820s-1830s on both sides of
the Commandant’s house and the
fortress garden. 1. Oficieru Street
has still preserved two houses (No
2 and 8) also for officers at the
commandant and committee of
the military registration office, yet
the architecture of these houses
differs from that of other buildings.
Officer Assembly with its own club
and library was functioning in the
fortress.
In the 1920s-1940s the building
was occupied by headquarters and
other services of Zemgale division,
different clubs were situated there
as well.
In order to view internal buildings
of the citadel, choose the thematic
route “Commandant’s Route” visible
on the map that you can receive
in Daugavpils Fortress Culture and
Information Centre (Nikolaja Street 5).
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
the 1820s-1830s on both sides of
the Commandant’s house and the
fortress garden. 1. Oficieru Street
has still preserved two houses (No
2 and 8) also for officers at the
commandant and committee of
the military registration office, yet
the architecture of these houses
differs from that of other buildings.
Officer Assembly with its own club
and library was functioning in the
fortress.
In the 1920s-1940s the building
was occupied by headquarters and
other services of Zemgale division,
different clubs were situated there
as well.
In order to view internal buildings
of the citadel, choose the thematic
route “Commandant’s Route” visible
on the map that you can receive
in Daugavpils Fortress Culture and
Information Centre (Nikolaja Street 5).
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
Tip by
5
4.38 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
4.48 km
Daugavpils Fortress Soldier Barracks
Highlight • Historical Site
In the 1820s-1850s four spacious
two-storey stone barracks to
house soldiers were built not far
from the fortress gates. Three of
the buildings have also a semibasement
floor that was used for
kitchen, lavatory and washing
rooms. Toilet blocks, utility rooms
and wells were located in barrack
courtyards.
In the 1920s-1940s soldiers of
Zemgale division regiments were
lodged in these buildings.
The premises were considerably
rebuilt during the Soviet times to
meet the needs of the aviation
school cadets. A third floor was built
on the Nicholas barrack (Nikolaja
Street 2), while the new Nicholas
barrack (Mihaila Street 11) was
turned into a school canteen. Today
these spacious buildings are not
used.
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
two-storey stone barracks to
house soldiers were built not far
from the fortress gates. Three of
the buildings have also a semibasement
floor that was used for
kitchen, lavatory and washing
rooms. Toilet blocks, utility rooms
and wells were located in barrack
courtyards.
In the 1920s-1940s soldiers of
Zemgale division regiments were
lodged in these buildings.
The premises were considerably
rebuilt during the Soviet times to
meet the needs of the aviation
school cadets. A third floor was built
on the Nicholas barrack (Nikolaja
Street 2), while the new Nicholas
barrack (Mihaila Street 11) was
turned into a school canteen. Today
these spacious buildings are not
used.
rm.coe.int/16806f5dfd
Tip by
7
4.53 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
8
4.68 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
7.10 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
5.29 km
931 m
609 m
261 m
Surfaces
3.33 km
2.64 km
524 m
313 m
271 m
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Weather
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Sunday 5 July
19°C
12°C
76 %
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Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h
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