Dunaberg

Dunaberg is a town in the government of Vitebsk, European Russia, built on both sides of the river Dwina, 12 miles S.E. of Riga. It possesses a first-class fortress, commanding a floating-bridge over the river, and from its position on the railway between Warsaw and St. Petersburg is of great military and commercial importance. There is a large trade in hemp, flax, tallow, and timber, and the local industries-include tanning, brewing, brick making, etc. The town was founded originally by one of the orders of Teutonic knighthood in 1278. It was acquired by Poland in 1559, but was soon after taken by Ivan the Terrible. The Swedes held it for a short time in the 17th century, and the French under Macdonald captured it in 1812.