Sprawling across seven hills, Rēzekne lies in the Latgale region of eastern Latvia. It was the site of a Latgalian hill fort from the 9th to the 13th centuries and has been attacked numerous times by Russian and Lithuanian forces. Following the construction of the Mosco-Ventspils railway in the 19th century, Rēzekne was transformed from a sleepy town into a lively city.
Things to do in Rēzekne
One of Rēzekne’s most important architectural landmarks is the Sacred Heart Cathedral, which was completed in 1902 on a design by Florian Viganovskis. It is renowned for its stained glass windows depicting Saint Meinhard and Albert of Riga and boasts an exceptional choir. Also of note is the whitewashed Our Lady of Sorrows Church, which was built in the 1930s in a Neo-Romantic style.
Don’t miss a visit to the Latgale Culture and History Museum, which is renowned for its collection of ceramics dating from the Neolithic period to the modern day. You can learn about the people, events and industries that have shaped the city in the “Rēzekne on the Verge of Centuries” exhibition or admire the paintings on display in the Rēzekne Art House.
Perched on a hill overlooking the Rēzekne River are the remains of an ancient fortified residence that was transformed into a stone castle by the Livonian Order in the 13th century. It was almost destroyed during the Polish-Swedish war, with only fragments of its stone walls and foundations visible today. Nearby is a model created by Edmunds Smans detailing how Rēzekne Castle once appeared.
Getting around Rēzekne
Rēzekne is around 3.5 hours’ drive from Riga and Riga International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular trains connect to the Rēzekne railway station and buses travel throughout the city, connecting most of its attractions.