The cathedral was built to serve as a garrison church for the Daugavpils military personnel.
The structure sits on the highest point of the city, known locally as Church Hill.
It is the largest Orthodox church in Latvia by capacity.
The building's construction was partially funded by the Russian Ministry of War.
In 1922, the cathedral was handed over to the Latvian Orthodox Church, transitioning from a military to a city parish church.
The cathedral survived a massive fire in 1921 that destroyed much of the interior, including many original wall paintings.
The architectural design was heavily influenced by the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.
It features a unique collection of icons that survived the Soviet-era closures of other regional churches.
The Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Boris and Gleb serves as the primary religious center for the Orthodox community in Daugavpils. Completed in 1905, the structure is characterized by its Neo-Byzantine architectural style featuring ten gilded cupolas. It is located on Church Hill, a historical district known for its concentration of four different religious denominations. The building was constructed with a capacity to hold up to 5,000 worshippers at one time. Its exterior is distinguished by white and light-blue brickwork, reflecting the aesthetic trends of the early 20th-century Russian Empire. Despite sustaining damage during both World Wars, the cathedral underwent significant restoration efforts in the 1980s and 2000s. The interior houses an iconostasis crafted by artisans from Saint Petersburg. It remains an active place of worship with ongoing liturgical services.
From the base of the street looking up toward the towers to capture the symmetry of the ten gilded cupolas.
Visit during a service to hear the traditional Orthodox choral singing.
Respect the sanctuary by keeping a quiet demeanor, even outside of active services.
Walk the surrounding Church Hill area to compare this cathedral with the adjacent Catholic, Lutheran, and Old Believer churches.
Taking photographs of congregants during active prayer services.
Modest dress is required; shoulders and knees should be covered. Women should consider carrying a headscarf, and men should remove hats upon entering.
