The Old Believer community have historically played an important role in Rēzekne’s history, and the dynamics of the development of this community in the city coincides with the growth of the city in the 19th century, when the population increased rapidly.
As a special witness to the history of this community and the traditions of the Old Believers is Rēzekne St. Nicholas Old Believers prayer house, built at the very beginning of the 20th century. A special pride of the prayer house is its bells. They were cast in 1905 in the Society of A.S. Lavrov in Gatchina. One of them weighs 4832 kg and is the largest in Latvia. The tongue of this bell alone weighs 200 kg. The construction of the farm and residential houses close to the Old Believers’ prayer house is also worthy of attention. Amazingly fine wooden laces in the decoration of windows and roof eaves, luxurious porches, the ancient wooden construction of the old masters are some of the signs of Old Believer culture in Latvia.
A new, very interesting, unusual place has appeared in the complex adjacent to the Nicholas prayer house – Old Believers Apartment. These are new and comfortable apartments with a special history, as the wooden building itself and most of the things inside it have a great historical value. The name of the apartments refers to the Old Believers who have lived in Latgale since the 17th century and left a significant mark on the history of Rēzekne. The house in which the apartments are located is located close to the Sv. Nicholas prayer house, which of course gives the object a special atmosphere. However, this does not mean that the space is designed with a strictly religious orientation. The purpose of the apartments is to welcome guests, to provide a cozy and special atmosphere, as well as to introduce a little to the traditions of this community. Some of the things that live in this unusual house belong to the owners themselves, some have been donated by the Old Believer congregation, and some have been inherited from ancestors. The apartment has 3 bedrooms with 5 beds, a fully equipped kitchen and 1 bathroom.
The apartments combine the old with the new and the modern, giving you the opportunity to feel the touch of history in a comfortable and tastefully decorated environment. The guests staying in the apartments have the opportunity to request a private tour of the museum opened in the premises of the complex, as well as the prayer house itself.
You can make a reservation here
It is possible to visit the museum opened in the premises of the complex, which reveals the everyday life of the Old Believers of Latgale and their way of life, even without booking an apartment. It can be done free of charge every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and by prior agreement on the time of visit also on other days by phone. +371 26267642
