Preili
Preili is located in the south - east part of Latvia in the centre of the region called Latgale - one of four cultural and historical regions of Latvia. Preili was mentioned for the first time in history as a title of a populated place in 1348. The name of Preili is thought to come from the river of Preili or maybe from a person's name or surname. It is quite possible that Preili was established or ruled by a Latgalian ruler - Preilis, from whose name or surname Preili and the river that flows through a town got its name. The meaning of word ''preili'' also is explained as "uninvited wedding guest", "open, plain place" or "moving".
For nearly 500 years landlords Borhi, that was one of the older noble families in Europe, ruled and formed our town.
The rights of the town Preili were assigned on the 11th of February, 1928. In 1939 the President of the State Kārlis Ulmanis accepted the symbol of Preili - the golden field with a black raven on it as a symbol for wisdom, courage and strength. The black raven was inherited from the coat of arms of the old Borhi family.
Preili County is located in the Eastern part of Latvia, 205 kilometres from Riga, the capital, and 60 kilometres from Daugavpils that is the second biggest city of Latvia. It covers area is 157,8 square kilometers. Preili County is close to the geographical centre of Latgale region. Thus the road network, the developed infrastructure, the education quality and opportunities are good preconditions for the administrative and economic development of the county.
Preili is an administrative centre of Preili District that covers more than 2000 sq.km with about 41 000 inhabitants in 2005. 84 lakes are located in the district as well. Many lakes have islets and peninsulas. Rivers and hills create a scenic landscape in the terrain of Cirisa and Rusonas lakes.
In 2001 Preili town and two rural municipalities Aizkalne and Preili united in Preili County.
There are about 10.5 thousand inhabitants in Preili County in 2005. 59% of population are Latvians, 36% are Russians. Most people in Preili County are catholic. The second biggest group are orthodox.
The biggest enterprises in Preili are Cheese factory that produces world favourite, very high-quality cheese "Cheddar" and "VS TEKS" Ltd that produces textiles. The production of both enterprises is mostly exported to EC.
In Preili District there is a lot of resources for development of ecological tourism - clean environment, plenty of lakes and rivers. Many important cultural and historic buildings are concentrated in Preiļi County: the complex of Preili manor, Jasmuiza museum of famous Latvian poet Rainis, prominent Latgalian ceramist Polikarps Cernavskis' workshop in Preili, landscapes and water resources. It is a perspective area for potential entertainment and tourism facilities.
Aglona Basilica that is located 25 km eastward from Preili is the most popular sightseeing place among tourists outside Riga.
Preili regional council
Address: Raiņa bulvāris 24, Preiļi, LV 5301
Phone: +371 65322766
Fax: + 371 65307323
E-mail: dome@preili.lv
Website: www.preili.lv
PHOTO GALLERY PREILI
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