Aglona draws tourists beyond pilgrimage season

Preiļi Municipality’s Aglona village attracts tourists throughout the warm season, not only during its August religious celebrations, LSM reported. The village of about 1,500 residents offers visitors opportunities for recreation by the water, guesthouses and religious heritage.

Tourism is one of Aglona’s most important economic sectors, providing work mainly for local individual entrepreneurs. At the same time, the industry highlights everyday challenges, including a shortage of housing, a declining population and limited access to labour.

As August 15 approaches, the village becomes particularly busy. Lawns are mowed, flowerbeds are maintained, street infrastructure is put in order and increasing numbers of visitors arrive.

Last year, 17,000 people visited Aglona on August 14 and 15, according to Aglona parish administration head Aivars Rivars. By comparison, 450,000 pilgrims visited in 2000. This year, August 14 falls on a Friday and August 15 on a Saturday, so officials expect more visitors because the events will take place over the weekend.

Aglona has more than 20 guesthouses, and its tourism sector serves both everyday travellers and pilgrims. Tourist Valentina, who was travelling around Latgale with a friend by public transport, said they had travelled from Riga to Daugavpils, then to Rēzekne and Krāslava before arriving in Aglona. They visited the Aglona Basilica and Christ the King’s Hill before continuing to the Puppet Museum in Preiļi.

“Very beautiful and well maintained. We liked it,” Valentina said.