Hidden in the valley of the Daugava from the prying eyes of strangers is the Old Believers’ village of Slutiškis. Mysterious and unknown. Time has stood still here as if almost 100 years ago. The bird calls of the “Daugava Circle” beckon you into the enchanting world of nature’s sounds, the ornate window decorations tell the story of great craftsmen…

Slutiškis settlement is located on the terrace of the right bank of the Daugava, at the foot of the Markov Castle Mound. Historical sources mention Slutiški as a village as early as 1785. The tradition of building peasant dwellings can be observed in Slutiškis. All the buildings are based on rectangular log houses covered with a gable or hipped roof. The decoration and decoration of the houses are related to the building traditions of the Slavic neighbouring peoples and are reflected in the facades, ornate windows, decorated doors and gables. The rich imagination of the carpenters was at work in the choice of ornaments. The ornate window surrounds and cornices, which are hardly repeated in any building, are the result of the carpenters’ desire for individuality in their window decorations.

The ethnographic open-air section of the Naujene Museum of Local History – “Slutiškis Old Believers’ Farm”, which consists of two expositions, “Old Believers’ Houses”, where you can see the red corner of the Raskolniks with prayer clothes, icons, a louestovka and ornate rushniks, a Russian stove, learn about the culture, life and lifestyle of the Old Believers 20.

Next to the Slutiškis homestead there is a memorial sign, which confirms that the medieval cemetery of Slutiškis (15th-17th centuries) was located here. Archaeological excavations have found 175 burial sites here.

The Slutiškis Old Believers’ Farmstead is the only museum of its kind in Latvia, located in an authentic inhabited farmstead, where visitors can get acquainted with unique materials of the spiritual and everyday life culture of the Old Believers of Latgale. The buildings of the exhibition are examples of vernacular construction with many decorative wooden details, window surrounds and shutter decorations, and exterior door sash mouldings. Several wooden parts of the buildings of the Slutiškis homestead were deteriorated and even lost, so in 2015, as part of the project, a tender was first organised for the development of a technical project and historical research of the site. The contractor of the order – “Arhitekta L.Šmita darbnīca” Ltd. carried out an in-depth cultural-historical inventory and architectural-artistic research of the Slutiškis farmstead. The lost outbuildings were restored on the basis of photographs and other historical sources, and the stone walls and floor of the barn were restored. In the dwelling house, which was the best preserved, significant construction and restoration work was carried out: replacement of the roof, windows, floors, timbered crown, doors, window surrounds, decorative elements of the house, repair of the cellar. The landscaping project included the restoration of the historic enclosed courtyard with a wooden fence and gate. A well with a plumb line was dug in the yard. For the new exhibition, 16 museum objects were restored and 12 new objects were made, and information boards were installed.

ADMISSION FEE

• Adults – 1,50 EUR
• Schoolchildren – 1,00 EUR
• Family ticket (maximum 2 adults, maximum 5 school-age children under 18) – 4,00 EUR
• Preschool children (up to 6 years) – free
• Teachers accompanying a group of children or a group of pupils – free

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

• Use of the recreation ground “Latgale Sēta” (in Slutiskes)
• Tenting places:
  Application for services and enquiries: +371 65476840 (Naujene parish administration).

Photos from Daugavpils TIC archive .