View source for Rēzekne

{{short description|Republican city of Latvia}}
{{about|the city|the river|Rēzekne River}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Rēzekne
| other_name               = 
| settlement_type          = [[Administrative divisions of Latvia|State city]]
| image_shield             = Coat_of_Arms_of_Rēzekne.svg
| shield_size              = 
| image_flag               = Flag_of_Rēzekne.svg
| flag_size                = 
| image_blank_emblem       = Logo of Rēzekne.svg
| blank_emblem_type        = [[Brandmark]]
| image_skyline            = Rezekne castle ruins.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = The Rēzekne castle mound with Livonian Order castle ruins
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|Latvia}}
| established_title        = First mentioned
| established_date         = 1285
| established_title1       = [[Town rights]]
| established_date1        = 1773
| pushpin_map              = Latvia
| pushpin_label_position   = above
| pushpin_mapsize          = 300
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in Latvia
| coordinates              = {{coord|56|30|23|N|27|19|50|E|region:LV_type:city|display=inline}}
| nickname                 = 
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = Aleksandrs Bartaševičs ([[Latvia First]]/[[Kopā Latvijai]])
| leader_party             = 
| blank_name_sec1          = Number of city council members
| blank_info_sec1          = 13
| area_footnotes           = {{wikidata|reference|best||P2046|P518=Q16868672}}
| area_total_km2           = {{#invoke:wd|properties|raw|qualifiers|best|raw||P2046|P518=Q16868672}}
| area_land_km2            = {{#invoke:wd|properties|raw|qualifiers|best|raw||P2046|P518=Q11081619}}
| area_water_km2           = {{#expr:{{#invoke:wd|properties|raw|qualifiers|best|raw||P2046|P518=Q16868672}}-{{#invoke:wd|properties|raw|qualifiers|best|raw||P2046|P518=Q11081619}}}}
| area_metro_km2           = 
| elevation_m              = 158.2
| population_total         = {{wikidata|property|qualifier|best||P1082}}
| population_as_of         = {{#invoke:WikidataIB|formatDate|{{wikidata|qualifier|best|raw||P1082|P585}}|df=y}}
| population_metro         = 
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_density_metro_km2 = auto
| population_footnotes     = {{wikidata|references|best||P1082}}
<!-- GDP  --------------->
| demographics_type1 = GDP
| demographics1_footnotes = {{wikidata|references|best||P2132}}
| demographics1_title1 = State city
| demographics1_info1 = {{wikidata|property|qualifier|best||P2131}} ({{#invoke:WikidataIB|formatDate|{{wikidata|qualifier|best|raw||P2131|P585}}|df=y}})
| demographics1_title2 = Per capita
| demographics1_info2 = {{wikidata|property|qualifier|best||P2132}} ({{#invoke:WikidataIB|formatDate|{{wikidata|qualifier|best|raw||P2132|P585}}|df=y}})
| postal_code_type         = [[Postal code]]s
| postal_code              = LV-4601 <br /> LV-4604 <br /> LV-4605 <br /> LV-4606
| area_code_type           = [[Telephone numbering plan|Calling code]]
| area_code                = +371 646
| timezone1                = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset1              = +2
| timezone1_DST            = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST          = +3
| website                  = {{URL|http://www.rezekne.lv}}

}}
'''Rēzekne''' ({{IPA|lv|ˈrɛːzekne|lang|Lv-Rezekne.ogg}}, {{small|Latgalian:}} ''Rēzne'' {{IPA|lv|rʲæːzʲnʲæ|pron}} or ''Rēzekne'' {{IPA|lv|ˈrʲæːzʲækʲnʲæ|pron}}, {{langx|ru|Резекне}}) is a [[Administrative divisions of Latvia|state city]] in the [[Rēzekne River]] valley in the [[Latgale]] region of eastern [[Latvia]]. It is called ''The Heart of Latgale'' ({{langx|lv|Latgales sirds|link=no}}, {{langx|ltg|Latgolys sirds|link=no}}). Built on seven hills, Rēzekne is situated {{convert|242|km|0|abbr=off}} east of [[Riga]], and {{convert|63|km|0|abbr=off}} west of the Latvian-Russian border, at the intersection of the [[Moscow]] – [[Ventspils]] railway and [[Warsaw – Saint Petersburg Railway]]s. It is the 7th largest city in Latvia.

== Other names ==
The [[Latgalian language|Latgalian]] name of the city is ''Rēzne'' ({{small|Latgalian:}} {{IPA|lv|rʲæːzʲnʲæ|}}) or ''Rēzekne'' ({{IPA|lv|ˈrʲæːzʲækʲnʲæ|pron}}). Historically, in [[German language|German]] sources, the location has been known as ''Rositten''. It is called ''Rzeżyca'' in Polish. Under the [[Russian Empire]] the city was named ''Rezhitsa'' ({{langx|ru|Рѣжица}}; {{langx|yi|רעזשיצע|Rezhitse}}), but since Soviet period known as ''Резекне'' ({{IPA|ru|ˈrʲɛzɛknɛ}}).

== History ==
[[File:Rezekne galv-iela-20gads-sakums.jpg|thumb|left|Rēzekne early 20th century]]
A [[Latgalians|Latgalian]] [[hill fort]]<ref name="History">''Rēzekne.com''. "[http://rezekne.risc.lv/index.php?page=history&lng=2 History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210062632/http://rezekne.risc.lv/index.php?page=history&lng=2 |date=2006-12-10}}." Retrieved on 4 October 2006</ref> is known to have existed at Rēzekne from the 9th to the 13th centuries, until its destruction at the hands of [[Germans|German]] [[Northern Crusades|crusaders]] of the [[Livonian Order]]. In 1285, the knights built a stone fortress on the site, which is today known as [[Rēzekne Castle|Rēzekne castle ruins]], to serve as a border post on their eastern frontier.

The name ''Rēzekne'' was first documented in 1285. Throughout its early history, Rēzekne was attacked many times by Russian and Lithuanian forces. 

In 1559, the town passed to the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]].<ref name=sgk>{{cite book|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Słownik geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i innych krajów słowiańskich|volume=X|year=1889|language=pl|location=Warszawa|page=159}}</ref> During the [[Livonian War]], it was occupied by Russians in 1567 and 1577.<ref name=sgk/> The town was restored to Poland after the [[Truce of Jam Zapolski|Peace of Jam Zapolski]] in 1582.<ref name=sgk/><ref name="History"/> Rēzekne received [[Magdeburg rights]] from [[Poland]] in the 17th century. It was captured and occupied by [[Swedish Empire|Sweden]] during the [[Deluge (history)|Swedish invasion]] of 1655–1660.<ref name=sgk161>{{cite book|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Słownik geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i innych krajów słowiańskich|volume=X|year=1889|language=pl|location=Warszawa|page=161}}</ref> The Swedes demolished the castle's ramparts and the castle fell into ruins over time.<ref name=sgk161/>

The town was annexed by the [[Russian Empire]] during the [[First Partition of Poland]] in 1772.<ref name=sgk161/> In 1773, Rēzekne received [[Town privileges|city rights]]. Known as "Rezhitsa" during Russian rule, it was an [[uyezd]] center first in [[Pskov Governorate]] between 1772 and 1776, then [[Polotsk]] between 1776 and 1796, Belarus between 1796 and 1802 and finally in [[Vitebsk Governorate]] between 1802 and 1917.

During the 19th century, the construction of the Moscow-Ventspils and Saint Petersburg-Warsaw railways transformed Rēzekne from a sleepy country town into an important city with two stations.

In the spring of 1917, the first [[Latgalia]]n congress was held in Rēzekne, in which Latgale was declared to unite with the other Latvian regions. Following Latvia's declaration of independence in 1918, the [[Latvian War of Independence]] and the driving out of both the German and [[Red Army|Red]] armies from Latvia, the city became a cultural centre for all of Latgale.
[[File:Rezekne 2 kara laika-3.jpg|thumb|left|German POW march through Rēzekne 1940s]]

Rēzekne was heavily damaged by both [[Wehrmacht|Nazi]] and [[Red Army|Soviet]] armies during [[World War II]]. It was captured by troops of the German [[Army Group North]] on 4 July 1941 and placed under the administration of the newly created [[Reichskommissariat Ostland]] on 25 July 1941. The Germans operated a subcamp of the Stalag 340 [[German prisoner-of-war camps in World War II|prisoner-of-war camp]] in the city.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Megargee|first1=Geoffrey P.|last2=Overmans|first2=Rüdiger|last3=Vogt|first3=Wolfgang|year=2022|title=The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos 1933–1945. Volume IV|publisher=Indiana University Press, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|page=338|isbn=978-0-253-06089-1}}</ref> Rēzekne was recaptured by troops of the Soviet [[2nd Belorussian Front]] on 27 July 1944. Due to the heavy air-bombing by Soviet forces in 1944, two-thirds of its buildings were destroyed. Out of a pre-war population of 13,300, only 5,000 people remained in the city at the end of the war.

Rēzekne was rebuilt after the war with an emphasis on industrial development. Rēzekne had the 5th highest industrial output in the [[Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic|Latvian SSR]], including a dairy processor (Rēzeknes Piena konservu kombināts), a lumber mill, and an electric-instrument factory (Rebir).

== Demographics ==
Based on the data provided by Latvijas Statistika, the population of Rēzekne was 10,795 in the year 1897. It decreased to 9,997 in 1920, while increasing again to 12,620 in 1925 and 13,139 in 1935.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.csb.gov.lv/en/statistikas-temas/population-urbanization-33080.html | title=Statistics Portal }}</ref>
{{bar box
|width = 300px
|float = middle
|title = Residents of Rēzekne by ethnicity (2022) |Residents of Rēzekne by ethnicity in 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stat.gov.lv/lv/statistikas-temas/iedzivotaji/iedzivotaju-skaits/tabulas/ire071-iedzivotaju-skaits-pec-tautibas |title=Iedzīvotāju skaits pēc tautības reģionos, pilsētās, novados, pagastos, apkaimēs un blīvi apdzīvotās teritorijās gada sākumā (pēc administratīvi teritoriālās reformas 2021. gadā) |publisher=https://stat.gov.lv |access-date=2023-04-02}}</ref>
|titlebar = #ddd
|bars =
{{bar percent|Latvians|maroon| 47.5}}
{{bar percent|Russians|blue| 41.6}}
{{bar percent|Poles|black| 2.1}}
{{bar percent|Belarusians|violet| 1.5}}
{{bar percent|Ukrainians|yellow| 1.4}}
{{bar percent|Others|gray| 5.8}}
}}

As a result of the [[Pale of Settlement]], many Jews settled in Latgalia and were confined to the cities. In the 19th century, the population of Rēzekne was around 60% Jewish, while Russians formed the largest minority (about 24% in 1897<ref>[http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus_lan_97_uezd.php?reg=145 First general census of the Russian Empire. Distribution of the population by native language in the districts of 50 governorates of European Russia] {{in lang|ru}}</ref>). The remainder of the population included Poles, Germans, and a small number of native [[Latgalians (modern)|Latgalians]]. With the economic development following the arrival of the railroad, the population grew steadily, reaching 23,000 by the eve of [[World War I]].

After Latvia's independence in 1918, the population of ethnic Latvians in the city grew substantially, but Jews still made up slightly over a quarter of the population (25.4% in 1935.) In 1939, the population was 13,000. During [[World War II]], the Jewish population was annihilated, most between [[The Holocaust in Latvia#Rēzekne|July and October 1941]], due to the [[The Holocaust in Latvia|Holocaust]]. Most other residents were either deported to [[Gulag]] camps in Siberia, or fled westwards. As a result, the post-war population was only 5,000.

As part of the Soviet Union's policy of [[Russification]], many Russians and Belarusians moved to the city after the [[Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940|Soviet occupation of Latvia]] at the end of World War II.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Krievu ekspansija un rusifikācija Baltijā laikmetu tecējumā : grāmata bagātīgi ilustrēta ar kartēm, kartogrammām un diagrammām|last=Stalšāns|first=Kārlis|publisher=Latgales Kultūras Centra Izdevniecība|year=2013|isbn=9789984292328|location=Rezekne, Latvia|language=lv}}</ref> By 1989, Russians accounted for the majority of the population, at 53%. After Latvia's independence in 1991, many repatriated to Russia.

In 1991, the population of Rēzekne was 43,156. Since then, the population has decreased to 30,800 (2017), due to a low birth rate, an aging population (the average age in Rēzekne is 40.3 years) (see also [[ageing of Europe]]), and a high rate of emigration abroad and to larger cities such as [[Riga]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csb.gov.lv/en/notikumi/latvia-population-keeps-declining-riga-population-increases-45900.html|title=Latvia population keeps declining; Riga population increases {{!}} Latvijas statistika|date=30 May 2017|website=www.csb.gov.lv|language=en|access-date=2018-05-11}}</ref>

== Religion ==
[[File:Choir-Rezekne-Orthodox-Church.jpg|thumb|Sunday choir of Orthodox church]]
Due to Rēzekne's multi-ethnic character throughout the centuries, many religious communities have settled in the city. Ethnic differences were often distinguished on religious lines; the Germans brought [[Christianity]] to Latvia in the 13th century, as well as [[Lutheranism]] during the Reformation Period. The Polish influence over [[Latgalia]] in the 17th and 18th centuries strengthened [[Catholicism]] among the native [[Latgalians (modern)|Latgalians]]. Incoming populations of Russian [[Old Believers]] introduced [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian Orthodoxy]], and up to the 1940s, Rēzekne had a very large Jewish population, and therefore, many [[synagogue]]s.

=== Sacred Heart Cathedral ===
{{Main|Sacred Heart Cathedral, Rēzekne}}
[[File:Rėzeknė Cathedral.jpg|thumb|Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral]]
The Catholic Cathedral "Vissvētā Jēzus Sirds" (Sacred Heart of Jesus), (built 1893–1914) dominates Rēzekne's skyline looking from the castle hill.

The cathedral was consecrated in 1901. It was built on the site of a previous wooden church which had been constructed from the funds allotted by Kraków military leader Belinski. In 1887 the church was destroyed in a [[thunderstorm]]-caused fire.

The cathedral has curved wooden altars decorated by the sculptures of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, St.Teresa, and others. The cathedral is famous for its depictions in stained glass of the first Livonian bishops, [[Saint Meinhard]] and [[Albert of Riga]]. Since 1995 it has been the centre of the Rezekne-Aglona diocese with the seat of the bishop.

The church has an active choir whose members have studied music. A majority of the members work as musicians and enjoy their Sunday singing in the church.

=== Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church ===
[[File:Rēzekne Sāpju Dievmātes katoļu baznīca 1999-09-14.jpg|thumb|Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church]]
The other Catholic church, "Sāpju Dievmāte" (Our Lady of Sorrows) is much newer, built from 1935 to 1939.

Construction began in 1936. The {{convert|27|m|0|abbr=off|lk=out}} tall building was built in [[neo-romanticism|neo-romantic style]]. The church was consecrated on 6 December 1937, but the construction was finished only in 1939. Next to the church is a sculpture of [[Our Lady of Fátima]].

Like many 1930s buildings in the city such as the Nation Palace of Latvian Society (the House of Culture nowadays), the Secondary School no.3 elementary school, and the Red Cross Hospital (nowadays a students hostel) it was designed by the architect Pavlov.

=== Orthodox Church of the Birth of Holy Jesus' Mother ===
[[File:Rēzeknes pareizticīgo baznīca 2000-10-14.jpg|thumb|Orthodox Church of the Birth of Holy Jesus' Mother]]
The construction of the church dates back to 1840, though it was not consecrated until 1846. In 1854, it was closed for reconstruction. After a two-year reconstruction period the church obtained its definitive look.

Tile stoves, tiled floors, three-storey [[iconostasis]] and a [[granite]] stoop decorated the church. A small stone chapel in memory of [[Alexander II of Russia|Alexander II]]'s rescue from death is situated on the left side of the church entrance. On the right there is a glass burial vault where the founder of the church, the owner of the Adamova manor general Karaulov and his wife Helen were buried.

=== Evangelical Lutheran Holy Trinity Church ===
[[File:Rēzeknes Svētās Trīsvienības luterāņu baznīca.jpg|thumb|Evangelical Lutheran Holy Trinity Church]]
The red brick church from was built in the 1930s. The church was designed by the architect J. Cīrulis in [[Neo-Gothic style]]. The church was consecrated in 1938. In the summer of 1949 the Soviet authority deprived the parishioners of their church, removed its crosses and dismantled the belfry. For many years there was a film rental company.{{clarify|date=August 2016}}

The parish got back its property at the beginning of the 1990s and the building has undergone major repairs. It is possible to climb the {{convert|37|m|0|abbr=off}} bell tower and see Rēzekne from above. Classical music concerts and divine services take place in the church nowadays.

=== St.Nicholas Old-Believers' Church ===
[[File:Rezekne Old Believers church.jpg|thumb|St.Nicholas Old-Believers' Church]]
The church was built in 1895. In 1906 it was considerably reconstructed, with a belfry with three bells, for which the church is now famous. One of them weighs {{convert|4832|kg|0|abbr=on}} and is the biggest bell in Latvia. The bell clapper alone is {{convert|200|kg|0|abbr=on}} heavy.

A museum is now opened in the premises of Rēzekne Old-Believers Cemetery Commune which shows the daily routine and lifestyle of Latgalian old-believers. In one of the rooms the collected items reflect church life, another has ethnographical items. The museum can be visited on request.

=== Green Synagogue ===
[[File:Externalsynagrezekne.jpg|thumb|The Green Synagogue]]
Prior to World War II, there were eleven synagogues in Rēzekne. The Green Synagogue is the only one to have survived to this day.

The synagogue was built in 1845 and is considered to be one of the oldest wooden buildings in Rēzekne. The synagogue was open until the 1990s, when it was closed for fire safety reasons.

The State Inspection for Heritage Protection of Latvia added it to the list of the most endangered sites in 2004. The Rēzekne City Council with the support of Norwegian Financial Institutions started reconstruction of the building. Within the framework of the project it will be possible to create an exhibition devoted to the history of Rēzekne's Jews.

== Culture ==
=== Latgales Māra ===
[[File:Latgales mara 2008.JPG|thumb|upright|Latgales Māra]]
One of the most famous statues in Latvia, known as "Latgales Māra", is found in Rēzekne. It was designed by [[Leons Tomašickis]] and first unveiled on 8 September 1939. The bronze statue commemorates the liberation of Latgale from the [[Red Army]] in January 1920.

The central figure, the woman, is popularly associated with [[Māra]], the ancient Latvian goddess of motherhood, fertility, and earth. The cross in her outstretched arm symbolizes the deep importance of Catholicism to Latgalian culture. The words "Vienoti Latvijai" beneath the statue (meaning "United for Latvia") designates the decision to reunite with the rest of Latvia during the Republic's formation in 1918, even though Latgale had been politically separated from the rest of Latvia for 300 years.

Because the statue symbolized Latvian nationalism, the Soviets toppled it in November 1940 during the first [[Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940|Soviet occupation of Latvia]]. Under German occupation the local residents restored it on 22 August 1943. The reinstated Soviet government pulled it down again in June 1950. After that, the fate of the original statue is unknown.

After Latvia regained its independence in 1991, the statue was reconstructed using old photographs and blueprints, and unveiled on 13 August 1992. Though Soviet rule greatly changed Latgale, ''Latgales Māra'' still symbolizes a Catholic Latgale united with Latvia, free of foreign domination.<ref>''Rēzekne.com''. "[http://rezekne.risc.lv/index.php?page=culture&sb=mara&lng=2 For united Latgale - Latgales Māra] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060712082638/http://rezekne.risc.lv/index.php?page=culture&sb=mara&lng=2 |date=2006-07-12}}." Retrieved on 4 October 2006</ref>

=== Castle Ruins ===
{{main|Rezekne castle ruins}}
The Castle Ruins, situated on the hill by the river, are the remainders of the ancient fortified residence of ancient Latgalians which existed there from the 9th to 13th centuries. At the end of the 13th century the [[Livonian Order]] built a stone castle (Rozitten castle). It was situated in a strategically important place, so the Russians, Lithuanians and Poles were seeking to conquer it. The castle was completely destroyed during the [[Polish-Swedish war]] (1656-1660). A model of Rēzekne castle by Edmunds Smans is located near the castle hill.

=== Latgale Culture and History Museum ===

The [[Latgale Culture and History Museum]] (Latgales Kultūrvēstures muzejs) was opened in 1959. The museum offers exposition of the town history, art exhibitions, and pedagogical activities for children. The exposition of [[Latgalian pottery|Latgale ceramics]] is the only permanent exposition in Latvia to reflect Latgalian ceramics in its history from the beginning of pottery in the [[Neolithic]] period until the achievements of present-day Latgalian ceramists and modern developments. Ceramics collection includes 2000 ceramic wares, made by the renowned [[Latgalians (modern)|Latgalian ceramicists]], such as [[Andrejs Paulāns]], [[Polikarps Čerņavskis]], [[Polikarps Vilcāns]], [[Jānis Backāns]], [[Ādams Kāpostiņš]] and others.<ref name="futureofmuseums">{{cite web|url=http://futureofmuseums.eu/en/virtual-gallery/latgale-culture-and-history-museum-collections/|title=Ceramics collection - LCHM|website=futureofmuseums.eu|accessdate=2014-07-15}}</ref> At the moment the museum stock collection has about 70 thousand items.<ref name="LMB">{{cite web|url=https://www.muzeji.lv/lv/muzeji-latvija/museum/latgales-kulturvestures-muzejs|title=Latgales Kultūrvēstures muzejs - Latvijas Muzeju biedrība|website=muzeji.lv|accessdate=2021-02-26}}</ref>

=== Art House ===
The building which is now known as the Art House was built in the last quarter of the 19th century for the merchant Vorobjov. It features rich woodcarvings on its façade, decorated in an eclectic style.

It soon became the property of the city, and was used as a teachers' institute, a school, a tuberculosis centre and a military registration office. This frequent change of users almost totally destroyed the original rich interior.

In the middle of the 1990s it was acquired by the Rezekne Art College. Due to the efforts of the students and teachers, the Art House got back its original outlook. It houses the exposition "Latgalian painting" from the reserves of the Latgale Culture History Museum.

=== Eastern Latvia's Center of Creative Services "Zeimuļs"===

The Eastern Latvia's Center of Creative Services "Zeimuļs" houses classes of interest and non-formal education for children and youth.

The opening of the center was on 1 September 2012. The architects were Rasa Kalniņa and Māris Krumiņš who used Latvian ethnographic motifs in their design. The main construction materials are concrete, glass, metal and wood. It is the largest building with a [[green roof]] in the Baltic countries. The towers offer one of the best views in Rezekne, over the Castle Hill and the historical center of the city.
[[File:Gors2.jpg|thumb|The centre of culture "Gors"]]

=== The centre of culture "Gors" ===
The multifunctional culture centre "Gors" (The Embassy of Latgale) was opened in 2013. In addition to the main 1000-seat concert hall, it includes a 220-seat concert hall, Registration of marriages hall, exhibition space, repetition halls and a restaurant. The centre is used for a variety of purposes, including concerts, conferences, film, ballet and theatre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://latgalesgors.lv/en/architecture|title=GORS, architecture|website=latgalesgors.lv|date=19 August 2013 |language=en|access-date=2019-01-11}}</ref>

== Scientific centers ==
Rēzekne Academy of Technology is one of the higher education institutes and research centers of Latvia. It has three faculties, namely, faculty of education, languages, and design, faculty of engineering and faculty of economics and management. Rēzekne Academy of Technology offers study programs at the Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral levels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rta.lv/|title=RTA}}</ref>

== Notable residents ==
*[[Stanisława Dowgiałłówna]] (1865–1933), Polish pharmacist
*[[Eber Landau]] (1878–1959), physician and professor
*[[Yury Tynyanov]] (1894–1943), Soviet/Russian writer and literary critic of Jewish origin
*[[Fridrikh Ermler]] (1898–1967), [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] film director
*[[Leon Manteuffel-Szoege]] (1904–1973), surgeon
*[[Teuvo Tulio]] (born ''Theodor Antonius Tugai'', 1912–2000), Finnish film director and actor
*[[Valentīna Eiduka]] (1937-2023), javelin thrower
*[[Jānis Urbanovičs]] (born 1959), politician
*[[Ilze Viņķele]] (born 1971), politician
*[[Iveta Apkalna]] (born 1976), world-famous Latvian organist
*[[Ilmārs Starostīts]] (born 1979), chess player
*[[Kristine Opolais]] (born 1979), soprano
*[[Kaspars Cipruss]] (born 1982), basketball player
*[[Guntars Silagailis]] (born 1984), football coach
*[[Edgars Gauračs]] (born 1988), footballer
*[[Aiga Grabuste]] (born 1988), [[heptathlon|heptathlete]]
*[[Vladislavs Kozlovs]] (born 1987), footballer
*[[Žanis Peiners]] (born 1990), basketball player
*[[Gunta Vaičule]] (born 1995), sprinter

==Climate==
Rēzekne has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfb'').
{{Weather box
|location = Rēzekne, Latvia (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1956–present)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = yes
|Jan high C = -2.4
|Feb high C = -1.9
|Mar high C = 3.2
|Apr high C = 11.5
|May high C = 17.5
|Jun high C = 20.8
|Jul high C = 23.2
|Aug high C = 22.1
|Sep high C = 16.4
|Oct high C = 9.2
|Nov high C = 2.9
|Dec high C = -0.8
|year high C = 
|Jan mean C = -4.6
|Feb mean C = -4.6
|Mar mean C = -0.4
|Apr mean C = 6.4
|May mean C = 12.0
|Jun mean C = 15.5
|Jul mean C = 17.8
|Aug mean C = 16.5
|Sep mean C = 11.5
|Oct mean C = 5.8
|Nov mean C = 0.8
|Dec mean C = -2.7
|year mean C = 
|Jan low C = -7.2
|Feb low C = -7.8
|Mar low C = -4.2
|Apr low C = 1.4
|May low C = 6.0
|Jun low C = 9.9
|Jul low C = 12.4
|Aug low C = 11.2
|Sep low C = 7.2
|Oct low C = 2.6
|Nov low C = -1.4
|Dec low C = -4.9
|year low C = 
|Jan record high C = 10.3
|Feb record high C = 10.5
|Mar record high C = 17.2
|Apr record high C = 27.2
|May record high C = 30.0
|Jun record high C = 32.1
|Jul record high C = 34.1
|Aug record high C = 34.7
|Sep record high C = 30.1
|Oct record high C = 22.6
|Nov record high C = 15.2
|Dec record high C = 10.5
|year record high C = 
|Jan record low C = -38.6
|Feb record low C = -38.8
|Mar record low C = -29.0
|Apr record low C = -18.4
|May record low C = -5.1
|Jun record low C = -0.8
|Jul record low C = 2.0
|Aug record low C = -0.4
|Sep record low C = -5.0
|Oct record low C = -12.5
|Nov record low C = -24.2
|Dec record low C = -38.5
|year record low C = 
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 43.5
|Feb precipitation mm = 35.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 32.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 33.4
|May precipitation mm = 60.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 81.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 66.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 74.9
|Sep precipitation mm = 55.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 64.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 49.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 41.6
|year precipitation mm = 
|unit precipitation days = 1 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 11
|Feb precipitation days = 9
|Mar precipitation days = 9
|Apr precipitation days = 7
|May precipitation days = 10
|Jun precipitation days = 11
|Jul precipitation days = 10
|Aug precipitation days = 10
|Sep precipitation days = 9
|Oct precipitation days = 12
|Nov precipitation days = 11
|Dec precipitation days = 11
|Jan humidity = 88.1
|Feb humidity = 85.4
|Mar humidity = 76.4
|Apr humidity = 67.0
|May humidity = 67.6
|Jun humidity = 72.7
|Jul humidity = 75.3
|Aug humidity = 78.1
|Sep humidity = 82.5
|Oct humidity = 85.7
|Nov humidity = 89.7
|Dec humidity = 90.1
|year humidity = 79.9
|Jan sun = 
|Feb sun = 
|Mar sun = 
|Apr sun = 
|May sun = 
|Jun sun = 
|Jul sun = 
|Aug sun = 
|Sep sun = 
|Oct sun = 
|Nov sun = 
|Dec sun = 
|year sun = 
|Jan percentsun = 
|Feb percentsun = 
|Mar percentsun = 
|Apr percentsun = 
|May percentsun = 
|Jun percentsun = 
|Jul percentsun = 
|Aug percentsun = 
|Sep percentsun = 
|Oct percentsun = 
|Nov percentsun = 
|Dec percentsun = 
|year percentsun = 
|source 1 = LVĢMC<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://data.gov.lv/dati/dataset/klimatisko-normu-dati/resource/4ef4a2ac-b439-478a-83b3-cdd39b1eff77
| title = Klimatisko normu dati
| language = lv
| publisher = [[Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre]]
| accessdate = March 19, 2023
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://klimats.meteo.lv/klimats/rekordi/
| title = Gaisa temperatūras rekordi
| language = lv
| publisher = [[Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre]]
| accessdate = March 19, 2023
}}</ref>
|source 2 = NOAA (precipitation days, humidity 1991-2020)<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Latvia/CSV/Rezekne_26446.csv
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1981-2010
| language = en-us
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = March 30, 2023
}}</ref>
}}

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Latvia}}
Rēzekne is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Starptautiskā sadarbība|url=http://rezekne.lv/pasvaldiba/starptautiska-sadarbiba/|website=rezekne.lv|publisher=Rēzekne|language=lv|access-date=2021-03-29}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
<!--Anykščiai, Gabrovo - not twinning-->
*{{flagicon|NOR}} [[Arendal]], Norway
*{{flagicon|BLR}} [[Braslaw]], Belarus
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Częstochowa]], Poland  
*{{flagicon|BLR}} [[Krychaw]], Belarus
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Gmina Sianów|Sianów]], Poland
*{{flagicon|MDA}} [[Soroca]], Moldova
*{{flagicon|LTU}} [[Utena, Lithuania|Utena]], Lithuania
*{{flagicon|BLR}} [[Vitebsk]], Belarus
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons|Rēzekne}}
*{{official website}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090106221427/http://rezekne.latviasig.org/jewish_rezekne6.htm Rēzekne after World War I]
*[http://www.vietas.lv/eng/objekts/vienoti_latvijai_latgales_mara/ Monument for a liberation of Latgale]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111019025101/http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/tourism/eden/themes-destinations/countries/latvia/rezekne/index_en.htm Awarded "EDEN - European Destinations of Excellence" non traditional tourist destination 2008]
* [http://www.yadvashem.org/untoldstories/database/index.asp?cid=182 The murder of the Jews of Rēzekne] during [[World War II]], at [[Yad Vashem]] website.
{{coord|56.512716|27.342739|region:LV_type:city_source:wikimapia|display=title}}

{{Administrative divisions of Latvia}}
{{Latgale Region}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rezekne}}
[[Category:Rēzekne| ]]
[[Category:State cities of Latvia]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Latgale]]
[[Category:Jewish Latvian history]]
[[Category:Holocaust locations in Latvia]]