The tradition of shmakovka production has been alive in Latgale for many centuries.
It is the largest and most contemporary Latgalian Culinary Heritage Centre in Latvia, which offers an attractive story about Latgale’s strong drink that has already become a brand in Latgale.
It is possible to gain knowledge of the process of making shmakovka with the help of the latest technologies, as well as to look at authentic and impressive production equipment in the three halls of the exposition (with a total area of 290 m2).
Along with the story about making a drink, it is possible to look at old photos and documents in digital exposition, as well as to become aware of the most important stages in Latgale’s history. The exposition also plays an educational role because it informs about the consequences of alcohol consumption. Here you can see a set of modern equipment related to the food industry which is used in the preparation of high-quality shmakovka.
Residents of local and more distant neighbourhoods took part in the creation of the exposition and donated various things related to shmakovka, for example, dishes, tubes, “hoses”, various measuring instruments, glasses and many other, perhaps even initially incomprehensible objects.
The centre has more than 200 different exhibits, the oldest one dates back to 1890.
The Latgalian Culinary Heritage Centre offers:
- To explore the process of making shmakovka in an interactive way with the help of the latest technologies. Information is available in six languages.
- To look at authentic and impressive production equipment.
- Guided tours in Latgalian, Latvian, Russian and English.
- Free audio guides in six languages.
- Original souvenirs.
- Shmakovka tastings (provided by licensed shmakovka producer – local farm “Sēlija”).
Shmakovka exposition is located in Daugavpils city centre, in the Unity House (entrance from the Unity Square side).
Opening hours*:
April – October
I-VII: 11.00 – 19.00.
November – March
I: closed;
II-VII: 11.00 – 19.00.
*Working hours before and during public holidays can change.
Entry costs:
| TYPE OF THE ENTRY TICKET | ADULTS Prices in euro including VAT** |
STUDENTS, SENIORS, PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Prices in euro including VAT** |
| Entrance ticket (from 1 to 10 people) | 5.00 EUR/person | 3.50 EUR/person |
| Family ticket (from 3 to 8 persons, which includes up to 2 adults and at least 1 child under the age of 18) | 3.00 EUR/person | |
| Guided tour for a group of up to 10 people | 10 EUR/group Tour in Latvian, Latgalian and Russian (1 hour)20 EUR/group Tour in English(1 hour) |
|
| Entrance ticket (from 11 to 40 people) | 4.50 EUR/person | 3.00 EUR/person |
| Guided tour for a group of 11 people and more | 1 EUR/person Tour in Latvian, Latgalian and Russian (1 hour)2 EUR/person Tour in English (1 hour) |
|
| On the first Saturday or Sunday of June, during the Birthday of the museum | 2.50 EUR/person | |
| First Sunday of every month | 2.50 EUR/person | |
| During the Daugavpils City Festival from Friday to Sunday |
2.50 EUR/person | |
| A visit for ICOM members | Free of charge | |
| During the annual international event “Museum Night” | Free of charge | |
| Children up to 12 years and 12-year-old | Free of charge | |
| For seniors on October 1, on International Day of Older Persons |
Free of charge | |
| Audioguide | 1 EUR/guide | |
| Shmakovka tasting: |
1 sort – 1.50 EUR, 3 sorts – 2.50 EUR | |