Page 201 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

EASTERN LA T VIA  199

by the Italian artist Philippo of the family’s three manor hous­ the Latgale region and also
Kastaldi in the 18th century. es still stands but is in poor con­ serves as a good base for
dition. In the gatekeeper’s house, visiting the area’s lakes.
E Krāslava Museum the History and Applied Arts The best­known sight is
Pils iela 8. Tel 6562 3586. Open Museum (Preiļu vēstures un Latgales Māra, a statue created
10am–5pm Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm Sat, lieņtišķ mākslas muzejs) has by Leons Tomašickis, which
10am–2pm Sun. & exhibits including old photo­ stands in the centre of a large
graphs of Preili and samples of round about on Atbrīvošanas
the pottery for which it is Avenue. The religious icono­
renowned. More local ceramics graphy of the statue depicting
can be found – and bought – at the pagan goddess Māra
the P Čerņavskis Pottery holding aloft a Christian cross
Workshop-Museum may be ambiguous but the
(P Čerņavska keramikas darbnīca­ politics are not: the plinth
muzejs). The late 19th­ simply reads “Vienoti
century Roman Catholic Latvija” (“United for
Church (Romas katoļu Latvia”). Unveiled in
bazīca) contains an 18th­ 1939, it commemo rates
century crucifix, and two the 1917 meet ing in
sculptures stand out­ Rēzekne which decided
side; one is dedi cated that Latgale would no
Dazzling exterior of the majestic to Mother Latvia and longer remain a part of
Aglona Basilica the other is a monument Russia’s Vitebsk province.
to the politically Jug, Latgale Culture and Removed by the
u Aglona repressed during the History Museum Russian authorities in
Soviet regime. 1940, the statue was
Road Map E4. @ from Rīga.
n Somersetas 34, 6532 2100. E History and Applied Arts reinstated by the occupying
_ Feast of the Assumption (15 Aug). German army. Destroyed in
Museum 1950, the statue was rebuilt by
Catholic pilgrims from across Raiņa 28. Tel 6532 2731. Tomašickis’s son after Latvia
the Baltic region and Russia Open 11am–6pm Tue–Fri, gained its indepen dence in
flock to this otherwise unre­ 10am–4pm Sat. & 1991. The inau guration of the
markable town to visit Aglona E P Čerņavskis Pottery replica took place in 1992.
Basilica and attend the Feast Workshop-Museum Just north of the statue is
of the Assumption. Lithuanian Talsu iela 21. Tel 2942 9630. the Latgale Culture and
members of the Dominican Open by appointment. History Museum (Latgales
Order were invited by a local R Roman Catholic Church kultūrvēstures muzejs), which
landowner to build a monas tery Tirgus laukums 11. Tel 6532 2041. focuses on the ceramics of the
and school in 1697. The basilica, Open by appointment. region, including tradi tional
then a church, was built in the branched candelabra. South of
18th century. Pope John Paul II the statue, on a small mound
declared it a basilica in 1980, o Rēzekne with excellent views of a
marking the 200th anniversary Road Map E4. * 37,000. £ from Catholic church, are the ruins
of its com pletion, and visited Rīga. @ from Daugavpils. n Krasta of the city’s castle.
it in 1993. The basilica is famous iela 31, 6460 5005. ∑ rezekne.lv
for its early 17th­century icon E Latgale Culture and
of the Virgin Mary, brought by Although most of its old History Museum
the Dominicans and said to buildings were destroyed Atbrīvošanas aleja 102. Tel 6462 2464.
have healing powers. It is during World War II, Rēzekne is Open May–Sep: Wed–Sun; Oct–Apr:
hidden behind a lesser icon, one of the cultural centres of Tue–Sat. &
which slides down only during
special services.

i Preiļi
Road Map E4. * 10,000. @ from
Rīga. n Kārsavas iela 4, 6532 2041.
∑ preili.lv
From about 1475 until 1866, the
market town of Preiļi was under
the control of the Borgh family,
who were originally from
southern Italy. The most recent Exhibits displayed inside the History and Applied Arts Museum, Preiļi

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