Interesting Places

Latvian Places to Visit

Great Guildhall

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The Great Guild situated in Riga, Latvia, was originally Merchants’ organization dated with 1354, its members were German merchants. The first building of Great Guild, dated from the XIV century has not survived till nowadays, only some parts are included in the building which is dated with 1854-1857, architect H.Schehl. The building is in eclectic English Gothic forms, its interior is masterfully designed. This building was reconstructed in 1965, now Latvian Philarmonics. For more details, see: Great Guildhall


Aglona Basilica

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Aglona Basilica is situated in Aglona, Latvia, the most important Catholic spiritual center in Latvia and one of the best known sacred sites in the world. It is located in the rolling hills of southeastern Latvia, 40 kilometers northeast of the city of Daugavpils. The small agricultural town of Aglona is home to the country’s most important site of Christian pilgrimage. The present masonry church was begun in 1768 and finished in 1780. It was built to replace the original wooden church that burnt down in 1699. It was designed in a late Italian baroque style and has two 60 metre high towers. It was dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and consecrated in 1800 by Bishop Benislavski.

Every year on the 15th of August, pilgrims congregate in Aglona to mark the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven. The church houses an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and artistic treasures, including the famous icon “Our Miraculous Lady of Aglona”, which is uncovered only during religious festivals. The painting is believed to have healing powers. On the main altar of the church is the much-revered painting of Our Lady of Aglona. This painting predates the foundation of the present church building and is considered to be a miraculous icon. The painting, on an oak frame, dates from the early 17th century and is closely related to the 14th century icon of the Virgin of Trakai in Lithuania. There are various theories about its exact origin, but most probably the Dominicans brought it to Aglona from Lithuania. The Icon is hidden behind a screen and is opened only on special occasions. Behind the alter there are many testimonials to the healing power of the icon. Legends state that on August 15, 1798 a local woman (praying on the hill where now stands the Aglona cemetery) saw a vision of Mary holding the child Jesus in her arms. The vision, the ancient, pre-Christian sanctity of the site, and the miraculous healing power of the icon have made the Basicila of Aglona the traditional place of pilgrimage for Latvian Catholics.

In 1980 the Church celebrated its 200th anniversary and was officially given the status of a Basilica by Pope John Paul II. In 1986 it was the site of celebration of the 800th anniversary of Christianity in Latvia. Pope John Paul II visited the Aglona sanctuary in September 1993 and 300 pilgrims gathered.

The first two photos are of the Aglona Basilica and the fourth is a picture of the the famous icon “Our Miraculous Lady of Aglona”. The third photo represents the beautification of the first Latvian, Bishop Boleslavs Sloskans, a process allowing him as a Saint. On December 20, 2001, in the Vatican, Pope John Paul II issues a decree (Decretum super heroicitate virtutum) recognizing officially the heroism of the virtues of Bishop Sloskans. In his sermon Cardinal Pujats recalled facts of Bishop Sloskan’s live that had been very rich but filled with many hardships including deportation to North of Russia and exile years in the West, allowing him to serve in Latvia only for 11 years. Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Janis Pujats together with all diocesan bishops and a large number of priests from Latvia. Earlier people were asked to pray 9-day novena for successful beatification process that would allow honouring Bishop Sloskans as a Saint. Later all Mass participants descended to the crypt where bishop’s mortal remains are lain, praying for eternal peace to his soul and singing Regina Caeli, an Easter anthem.