| No | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
 |
Found in the western part of Daugavpils and on the banks of the Daugava River, this is almost the only fortress in Northern Europe that has been preserved since the first half of the 19th century. Work on the fortress began in 1810, though it suffered much damage during the war of 1812 and because of flooding in 1829. The fortress was of strategic importance in terms of its location, not least in terms of the battle against Napoleon’s forces. It was consecrated in 1833, though construction work ended nearly half a century later, in 1878. The fort is divided up into squares, with the Parade Field in the centre of the whole fortress. After it lost its strategic importance in 1897, a warehouse was installed there. Prior to World War I, General Jānis Balodis, Colonel Frīdrihs Briedis and others served at the local garrison. In 1912, in honour of the centenary of the aforementioned war, a monument was unveiled in the park of the fortress. During the Soviet occupation, Red Army units took over the fortress, and a technical aviation school was established there. Even today, the fortress is a “city in a city.” It has a residential area, though the buildings are quite shabby. Both inside and outside the fortress are many elements that relate to military issues. Right now fundamental work is being done to reconstruct the buildings, water pipelines and streets of the fortress. The fortifications of the fortress are home to one of the largest colonies of bats in all of Latvia, and it is strictly forbidden to disturb them when they are asleep. Major restoration of the fortress has included the establishment of the Mark Rothko Art Centre. The distinguished artist was born in Daugavpils in 1903, when Latvia was still part of the Russian Empire. |
|
 |
The Svente Baronial Estate in the Daugavpils District features a museum of military equipment, including a Josef Stalin tank, a T-34 tank, and armoured scouting vehicle, and other equipment.
|
|
 |
One of the largest tank bases in the Baltic War District was located during Soviet times just South of Gardene. The territory has largely been abandoned, and there are just a few remnants of the buildings that were once there. If you drive down the Dobele-Annenieki road, you will find a paved military road splitting off from it. It is still used today. The buildings and urban planning of Gardene are also of interest – during the Soviet era, soldiers and their families lived there.
|
|
 |
An impressive set of military structures between the Baltic Sea and Lake Liepāja and Lake Tosmare. Construction of the fortress began in the late 19th century on the basis of a decree by Russian Tsar Alexander III, and it cost 45 million gold roubles. The fortress includes accommodations and elements of fortifications – sites for cannons, trenches, gunpowder cellars, systems of canals, a narrow-gauge rail line, etc. In 1908, the fortress was shut down because of a change in Russia’s defence concept, and the construction of it was declared to have been a strategic mistake. There were attempts to blow up the underground structures and cellars during World War I, but that did not really succeed. Some elements of the fortress were of great importance in Latvia’s liberation battles. Surviving today are the Northern forts, the Central fort, the Eastern fort, the Southern fort, the shoreline defensive batteries (No. 23, 3), Redāns, Lunete, and others. Most are not improved, so visits may be dangerous. The northern part of the fortress includes the Military Port, which has experienced seven different armies and regimes. During the Soviet years, it was closed to civilians. There are many outstanding monuments to military history. Tourists love the Karosta prison, which offers educational programmes. |
|
 |
The Jūrkalne Air Defence Division facility is privately owned at this time. A motor racing track has been installed there.
|
|
 |
The Lūžņa radio equipment company was part of the Naval Border Guard in Soviet Times. The car park in the centre of Lūžņa offers a fine view of the former military complex. Some buildings are used as apartment buildings at this time.
|
|
 |
This is the rumoured location of a military aviation engine testing laboratory. The territory is now industrial and locked off, and nothing remains to suggest that such a lab was ever really there.
|
|
 |
The Swedish army built a modern fortress during the 1640s with five bastions and two gates. There were 120 cannons and mortar throwers, barracks for soldiers, flats for officers, a garrison church and warehouses for food at munitions. After the Great Northern War in 1710, the fortress was taken over by the Russian army. After the Soviet occupation in 1940, the Soviet navy took over the fortress. Alongside it is a former Soviet army facility with abandoned buildings and a monument to sailors who served in submarines. The fortress is open for tours on Saturdays and Sundays. |
|
 |
By far one of the most impressive Soviet military objects in Northern Vidzeme, this base has now been abandoned. There are buildings, underground bunkers, missile silos, areas of the firing of missiles, etc. This is one of the few remaining places in Latvia where a monument to Lenin still stands. The stone bust once stood in the central square of Alūksne. During the restoration of independence, it was taken down and moved to the missile base. We recommend that you bring a guide with you – otherwise it won’t be worth much.
|
|
 |
The military communications facilities at Pāvilosta are along the southern part of the town. The facilities are owned by the local government, and there is no information about their use at this time.
|
|
 |
There’s hardly anything left of the zenith missile base which once stood here for the purpose of protecting the western boundaries of the USSR – even specialists would have a hard time finding the location.
|
|
 |
Metsavenna Farm organises forest brethren (or brothers) expeditions for visitors to search out forest brothers in their hideouts, visit an underground bunker, hear true stories of life after WWII, have a taste of home-brew and sing old songs along with the master. The more adventurous can stay a night in the bunker, while in winter a sledding hill is opened for snowy downhill rides. |
|
 |
Spilves pļavas tika izmantotas kara aviācijas vajadzībām jau 1. Pasaules kara laikā. 1922. gadā bumbu sabojātā lidlauka atjaunošanu veica Latvijas Republikas Aviācijas divizions Jāzepa Baško vadībā. Drīz pēc tam Spilvē 51 hektāru lielā teritorijā pie Rīgas - Bolderājas dzelzceļa atzara un šosejas iekārtoja arī civilo lidostu, kuru no Rīgas pilsētas nomāja Latvijas Pasta un telegrāfa departaments. |
|
 |
The lighthouse at Akmeņrags supported maritime navigation in Soviet times. Today it is controlled by the Latvian Maritime Administration. The lighthouse is open for visitors.
|
|
 |
This extensive territory to the South of Pāvilosta once was the site of warehouses and an oil base. The territory at this time is used for the extraction of raw materials. There is also a sawmill there. The sign at the entrance of the facility states that the area can be dangerous to visitors.
|
|
 |
The largest collection in Europe of Soviet aviation and military equipment is on the territory of the Rīga International Airport and is open to visitors. The collection was assembled over the course of 40 years.
|
|
 |
The local museum offers an interesting and extensive exhibit related to World War II at the Kurzeme fortress and the fate of Latvian soldiers who took part in the war. There are also exhibits related to the history of World War I and World War II, complete with a collection of civilian and military objects. Among them – a YI-2 airplane, an armoured personnel carrier, a Red Army tank, and all of the trenches and bunkers of the relevant era.
|
|
 |
On the shore of the Daugava River, to the East of Lielupes Street and South-east of Jātnieku Street, there are the remnants of four battery positions that were blown up in their day. The batteries had 152-mm cannons, and this was part of the former system of fortifications in Rīga (see also Komētforts, the Daugavgrīva fortress, and the fortifications of Mangaļsala). The aim was to protect the city from invaders who came from the sea. From the top of the batteries you can see the Daugava and the northern segment of the manmade Krievu Island (a huge pile of sand). It does have to be said that the condition of this historical monument is quite pitiful.
|
|
 |
The border guard facility at Pāvilosta is closed to civilians at this time, because it is used by the Latvian Navy.
|
|
 |
This facility is used for military and tactical training at this time. The facility can be used for automobile and motorcycle racing, testing drives, and security training, all of which must be arranged in advance. The surrounding nature reserve offers a chance to look at local plants and animals.
|
|
