Rezekne, Latvia: Self-Guided Walking Tour

The best things to do in Rezekne include exploring medieval castle ruins, visiting churches from several religious traditions, and discovering the city’s distinctive Latgale heritage. Rezekne is the regional centre of Latgale, and its compact centre brings together historic landmarks, religious buildings and monuments connected with Latvia’s history. Neywo offers a free audio guide for Rezekne with 8 narrated places.

What to see in Rezekne

Rēzekne Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Cathedral

The Rēzekne Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Cathedral is one of the city’s most important religious landmarks and its largest surviving place of worship. It stands on one of Rēzekne’s hills and serves as the cathedral of the Rēzekne-Aglona Diocese.

Built between 1887 and 1902 to a design by Riga architect Florian Wyganowski, the cathedral combines two contrasting architectural styles. Its façade is Neo-Romanesque, with solid, rounded forms, while the interior is Neo-Gothic. Since 1995, it has served as the cathedral of the Rēzekne-Aglona Diocese.

Rezekne Castle

The remains of Rezekne Castle, also known as Rēzeknes pilskalns, rise on a long hill beside the right bank of the Rēzekne River. The medieval fortress was built by the Livonian Order, and its position made it both a hilltop stronghold and a water castle.

A dam once lay below the castle, with water surrounding the hill on all four sides. The site is also associated with the historical names Rositten and Režica Castle. Today, the surviving ruins offer a direct connection with the medieval history of the city.

Vienoti Latvijai, or Latgales Māra

Along Atbrīvošanas Alley stands Vienoti Latvijai, also known as Latgales Māra. This monument to the liberation of Latgale is one of Rezekne’s most recognizable landmarks.

Created by sculptor Kārlis Jansons from a design by Leons Tomašickis, it was unveiled on September 8, 1939, and restored in 1943 and 1992. The monument is 11 metres high and combines a pink-granite pedestal with bronze casting brought from Finland.

Its three figures express different aspects of Latgale’s struggle and identity: a figure breaking chains, a kneeling daughter of the peoples representing prayer, and a standing girl holding a cross as a symbol of the free people of Latgale.

Church of Our Lady of Sorrows

At the corner of Baznīcas Street and Atbrīvošanas Alley, opposite Vienoti Latvijai, stands the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows. It is the newest church building in the centre of Rezekne.

The local Marian monastery was established here in 1932, followed by the foundation of the parish in 1934. Construction of the church began in 1935, and the building was solemnly consecrated on December 6, 1937. The church was designed by the architect Pavlov, with construction directed by the Marian father Jūris Karkle and window designs created by Jānis Jaškovich.

Church of the Holy Trinity

The Church of the Holy Trinity is an Evangelical Lutheran church and the only Lutheran church in Rezekne. Its presence adds another religious tradition to the city centre, alongside its Catholic and Orthodox places of worship.

Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God

The Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God stands in a small city-centre square opposite Vienoti Latvijai and the City Council building. This Orthodox parish church is recognized as a national architectural monument of Latvia.

Church of Divine Mercy

The Rēzeknes Dieva Žēlsirdības Romas katoļu baznīca, or Church of Divine Mercy, is a Catholic church in the city’s Northern District. Its construction was supported by the local diocese and donations from local people. The church was consecrated on May 30, 2021, during the feast of the Holy Trinity.

Rezekne Green Synagogue

The Green Synagogue is one of Rezekne’s most remarkable surviving historic buildings. Located at the corner of Krāslavas and Izraēlas streets in the old southern district, it is the oldest wooden building in the city.

Built as a wooden synagogue in 1845, it continued to serve its religious purpose after the Second World War. The building was closed in 1990 because of its poor technical condition and placed on Latvia’s list of most endangered monuments in 2004. Extensive restoration took place between 2013 and 2015, recreating historic elements and renewing the interior.

During the restoration, a genizah containing Torah scrolls was discovered. It is described as the only one of its kind in the Baltic countries. Today, the Green Synagogue functions as a museum and cultural heritage centre while retaining its religious role.

Explore Rezekne on a self-guided walking tour

The Neywo route Heart of Latgale: Faiths, Ruins and a Freedom Monument is a 1.86-kilometre walking tour lasting 62 minutes, with 7 narrated stops. It includes the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, the Green Synagogue, Rezekne Castle, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God, Vienoti Latvijai and the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows.

It is a practical way to experience a Rezekne self-guided walking tour while connecting the city’s medieval past, religious diversity and modern Latvian identity. Rezekne is also a useful stop when travelling through Latvia, with Daugavpils and Ludza offering other perspectives on Latgale.

Download the Neywo audio guide for Rezekne

Neywo has 1 walking tour in Rezekne: a 1.86 km route that takes 62 minutes and includes 7 narrated stops. The free audio guide covers 8 narrated places in total, with narration available in 11 languages.

The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace. There is no group and no schedule: simply follow the route and listen as Rezekne’s landmarks come into view.