We went to Latvia's second city primarily to change trains en route from Vilnius to Warsaw, but we decided to stay overnight to get a flavour for Daugavpils in its own right. The overall sense we got was of a clean, but eerily quiet town. It was a Saturday night when we were there, yet wandering the streets we saw almost nobody. Many cafes and restaurants were closed: we managed to get an evening meal only by walking out of town to a shopping mall, where we found an American-style pizza place.
There's a large Russian population in Daugavpils, and the Russian influence is quite obvious throughout the city. From the imposing Soviet facades of the public buildings...
...to the beautiful, ornate designs of the Orthodox cathedral...
Here are a few more images from our rather lonesome walks around town:
8 comments:
For heaven's sake, where was everybody?
Great shots, Rachel - Great comment, Other Rachel. :)
so ... do they turn into monsters on Saturday nights, or all visit with friends and stay over? how bizarre:)
really? empty streets...suggests limitations of some sort...beautiful cathedral.
There is something oddly attractive about this Soviet style architecture if it is well maintained. But I must admit I am far more of a sucker for gilded domes.
Rachel, I try envy your travels, but feel lucky to be able to explore the world vicariously through you! That Russian orthodox cathedral is simply breathtaking! Wow! What beautiful colors.
Jenn
Your traveling just kills me! I am so so envious.
The contrast between the soviet building and the cathedral is stark. Reminds me of the Soviet-style buildings we still have in Cuba.
Great photos. Loved them.
Greetings from London.
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