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Here are collected all Aglona church- the Catholic, Orthodox and Old Believers
Aglona Basilica
Aglona basilica was built in the late baroque style; it is decorated with two 60 metres high towers. Pilgrims come to Aglona every year on August 15 to celebrate the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven. It is one of the most well-known sacred sites in the world. Groaned vaults, arches and columns splendidly decorated in rococo style can be found inside. The Dominican order founded a monastery and built the first wooden church in Aglona in the 17th century. When in 1699 the wooden church burned down, the stone building of a monastery and the present temple was built on its place in 1768 – 1780. The interior finish of the church was created in the 18th – 19th century, but the pulpit and the organ – at the close of the 18th century.
The church houses a collection of paintings, sculptures and artistic treasures, including a famous icon “Our Miraculous Lady of Aglona” which is uncovered only during religious feasts. The icon is considered to have healing powers. The Pope of Rome John Paul II visited Aglona basilica in September of 1993. Due to this visit extensive renovation works in the church and improvements of the surrounding area were carried out.
A sacred place visited by thousands of people.
“Our Lady of Aglona” icon
People call it the Miraculous Lady of Aglona icon for a long time already. In acknowledgement of the icon’s miracles they dedicate commemorative notes (“votas” in Latvian) to her. The hymn dedicated to the Holy Virgin is heard in Aglona since 1835. The year of creation and the author of the icon are unknown, although in the Trakai residence of Lithuanian rulers there is an identical icon, which the emperor of Constantinople gave as a present to Lithuanian monarch Vitauts in 1384 due to the Christianize of Lithuania; in 1409 Vitauts placed the icon in Trakai church. One of the versions about why the white fathers brought to Aglona an icon which was so similar to the one installed in the rulers’ church, is connected with the death of the first christened Lithuanian king Mindaugs on his way to Aglona in 1236. Our Lady of Aglona is also called “the queen of North” because it is the farthest icon in the Northeast Catholic Europe which is so frequently visited by people.
Adress: Cirisu Street 8, Aglona, Aglonas district;
Phone: +371 653 81109, +371 29188740,
e-mail: [email protected];
home page: www.aglona.travel,
GPS: 56.1271,27.0166
Languages:LV, RU, DE, EN
Berzgale Church
Berzgale Catholic church, a national memorial site, is a wooden construction. Berzgale church is among the oldest wooden churches of Latgale. The present-day foundation of the church was laid in 1744, the building works were accomplished in 1750, as St. Stephen and St. Laurus Church of God’s Protection.
Adress: Berzgale, Aglonas parish, Aglonas district;
Phone: +371 26134126,
e-mail: mailto:[email protected];
GPS: 56.1586 27.0860
Folvarka Prayer House
The building works of Folvarka Prayer House were initiated in 1887. The temple was built on the contribution of people. Anna Stratonovna, who returned from Riga to her parents’ native land, is the one who is keeping the history of Folvarka Prayer House. Folvarka Prayer House was robbed 12 times, even a fragment of a metal fence was stolen. There is still a bell which once informed that the prayer has begun.
Adress: Kastulinas parish, Aglonas district;
Phone: +371 26208572; +371 656 80306;
e-mail: mailto:[email protected];
GPS: 56.130496, 27.154609
Graveri Orthodox Church
Graveri Orthodox Church was built in 1836; it was closed down in 1950 and then demolished. The process of renovation was started recently, but due to the stress of money the building works were stopped.
Adress: Graveri, Graveri parish, Aglonas district;
Phone: +371 29534053;
e-mail: mailto:[email protected];
GPS: 56.061949, 27.135843
Rageli Catholic Church
The first church in Rareli was built of wood, it stood in the graveyard. A tower was installed onto the church and a bell was hung in it after the World War I. The building of the church burned down during the war. In 1945 a local dean informed the curia that the church burned down, but the residential building and a shed with an extension survived in the fire. The residential building was then rebuilt as the church.
Adress: Rageli, Graveri parish, Aglonas district;
Phone: +371 29244613;
e-mail: mailto:[email protected];
GPS: 56.059433, 27.159141
Kovalova Old Believer Church
Kovalova Old Believer Church was founded in 1861. It still functions. It is served by Father Josifs Osipovs.
Adress: Kovalova, Graveri parish, Aglonas district;
Phone: +371 26154785,
e-mail: mailto:[email protected];
GPS: 56.0453, 27.1022
Peipini Catholic Church
Peipini Catholic Church was constructed in 1922; it has a plank trimming on the outside. It is plastered inside. The ceiling is boarded with no plastering. The exterior part of the church is painted in ochre oil colour.
Adress: Peipini, Skeltovas parish, Aglonas district;
Phone: +371 29118597;
e-mail: mailto:[email protected];
GPS: 56.033632, 27.048483
Skeltova Church
In 1836 St. Nicholas church was built in Skeltova village. On December 19, 1996 St. Nicholas church was celebrated 60th anniversary.
Adress: Skeltovas parish, Aglonas district;
Phone: +371 29118597;
e-mail: mailto:[email protected];
GPS: 56.0232, 27.0095
Slostovkas Old Believer Church
The church was built in spring 1837.
Adress: Skeltovas parish, Aglonas district;
Phone: +371 29118597;
e-mail: mailto:[email protected];
GPS: 56.019411, 26.970055
Starodvorje Old Believer church
This church is located in the historic area of Old Believers, which is attested by the Slavic origin.
Adress: Starodvorje, Aglonas parish, Aglonas district;
Phone: +371 29118597;
e-mail: mailto:[email protected];
GPS: 56.147302 27.101147