The Catholic Church in Krāslava is the most striking example of Baroque architecture in Latgale. The first wooden church for Catholics was built in 1580-1590 by Miķelis de Brunavs. The present church was built between 1755 and 1767 according to a design by the Italian architect Antonio Paraco. The altar part of the church features the 18th-century fresco ‘Saint Ludwig on Crusade’ by the Italian artist Filippo Castaldi, which took 12 years to restore and was completed in 2015. Particular highlights are the paintings of St. The relics of the martyr Donatus attract a large number of believers, making Krāslava the second largest pilgrimage site in Latgale after Aglona. From 1757 to 1844, a seminary – the first higher educational institution in Latvia – was located next to the church.

Photos from the archives of the Krāslava Municipality TIC.