Vitebsk region: sights, history and interesting facts

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:41

Vitebsk region is part of Belarus. Its administrative center is the city of Vitebsk, next to which the rivers Zapadnaya Dvina and Vitba flow.

Principal Times

It is assumed that even in the Stone Age, our very distant ancestors could live on the territory of the Vitebsk region. The study of the identified sites of primitive people gave reason to say that they belong to the Bronze and Iron Ages.

On the pages of the famous chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years", which was compiled in 862, the Polotsk principality is mentioned on the site of today's Vitebsk. The very first prince of the most ancient territorial unit in this region was Prince Rogvolod, and the role of the administrative center was assigned to Polotsk. Today, the Vitebsk region, the sights of which we will describe in the article, looks, of course, completely different.

At the turn of the XIII-XIV centuries, a rapid process of development of the area began, in terms of trade and culture. Already in the XVI century. on the territory of Orthodox monasteries and churches, the first educational institutions are opened. In general, the Vitebsk region is very interesting for historians - allthe attractions located here cannot be seen in one day.

Development after the 16th century

In the second half of the XVI century. in Europe, the Kingdom of Poland was gaining power, which, after uniting with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, formed the Commonwe alth. There was an automatic change of power at the beginning of the 17th century. and on the Vitebsk lands, with all the ensuing consequences. The dominant position of the Catholic faith was strengthened by the construction of a Dominican church, the creation of a Jesuit collegium and the founding of a Bernardine monastery. By the way, today all of them are the main attractions of the Vitebsk region.

In 1866, the branch of the railway from Orel to Riga, along with both capitals of the Russian Empire, as well as Kyiv and Brest, included Vitebsk. And by 1914, Vitebsk was a huge city with a well-developed industry. Before the revolution of 1917, almost 8% of the 109 thousand citizens living in it worked at various industrial enterprises in this city.

In the period from January to April 1919, Poland took advantage of the Civil War in the territory that had sunk into oblivion, the Russian Empire, and occupied part of the country of Belarus, together with the current capital Minsk. However, Vitebsk province remained part of Soviet Russia.

Modern Vitebsk region

The formation of the Vitebsk region falls on mid-January 1938. And on July 11, 1941, German soldiers appeared on the streets of Vitebsk. During the years of war hard times, the Nazis almost completely destroyedlarge settlements.

Modern Vitebsk region is famous for its high level of industrial and agricultural development. Local authorities contribute to the holding of music festivals, and other cultural events are initiated. The famous "Slavianski Bazaar" is associated with the name of the regional center. So the Vitebsk region, the sights of which we are considering, can safely be considered the cultural center of the country.

Some interesting facts about the Vitebsk region

The smallest town in this area is Disna, which is located on the river of the same name. From 1921 to 1939 this settlement was considered part of Poland. And since 1959, it has acquired its current status - the city of Disna (Vitebsk region). Its sights are quite varied. A tourist should visit here:

hospital (early 20th century) - ruins;
castle (XVI-XVII centuries);
estate "Doroshkovichi";
Resurrection Church.

Few people know that the basis of the plot of A. S. Pushkin's story "Dubrovsky" was an incident that took place all in the same Vitebsk. The idea was suggested to the famous Russian writer and poet by his good friend P. V. Nashchokin. Pushkin was in Vitebsk when in 1823 he was on his way to Odessa for a 13-month exile. And some sights of the Vitebsk region are dedicated to this event.

It is common knowledge that the renaissance, referring to the Renaissance, began its procession through Europe from Paris. BUTVitebsk, by the way, owns the title of the second capital of this direction of art. Unfortunately, few have heard of this fact.

Today's Vitebsk can rightly be proud of the presence of a huge number of objects of historical and cultural value. There are 219 architectural monuments here, eight more are related to history and six to archeology. The Vitebsk region is rich in ancient buildings. Sights can be explored for a long time, listening to the interesting stories of local residents and guides.

Outstanding personalities of the Vitebsk region

Marc Chagall was born and raised in Vitebsk. His childhood years passed on Pokrovskaya Street. The house where the family of the famous future artist lived is now a museum. All objects in the house that were related to the work of Chagall are now on display in the museum as exhibits.

According to archival documents, in 1896 a certain Frenchman Fernand Guillen, on the basis of an agreement concluded with the city government, undertook to build an electric road for tram cars. Thanks to this circumstance, two years later, an unusual type of public transport was already running around the city. The Museum of History keeps the memory of a unique event - the first tram, which is considered the pride of Vitebsk.

In July 1895, a resident of Vitebsk O. Drevnitskaya managed to successfully land with a parachute, thanks to which she became famous, becoming the first woman parachutist.

In the early 80s of the XIX century. Vitebsk photographer SigismundYurkovski came up with a brilliant idea - to equip the camera with an instantaneous shutter. It was truly a revolution in photography.

Interesting Wartime Facts

The wars left an indelible mark on the history of Vitebsk and the region. So, for 3 months Vitebsk was in the zone of occupation of the Napoleonic army during the Patriotic War of 1812. Napoleon chose the Governor's Palace, which at that time was on Uspenskaya Gorka, to place a military headquarters. In this Belarusian city, the French emperor had to celebrate his next birthday on August 3.

The period of the Great Patriotic War turned out to be one of the most difficult for Vitebsk. Almost all residential buildings were destroyed (93%), and only 118 out of 167 thousand citizens managed to survive. Nevertheless, after the defeat of the Nazi invaders, the city began to be rebuilt.

Military monuments that Vitebsk region is famous for are sights that cannot leave anyone indifferent.

Ilya Repin Museum and St. Sophia Cathedral

16 km from Vitebsk is the museum-estate of Ilya Repin "Zdravnevo". Until 1892 the estate was called Sofiyivka. It was bought by an artist-peredvzhnik with funds received after the sale to Emperor Alexander III of a famous painting, which depicts the scene of the Zaporizhzhya Cossacks compiling a written response to the Turkish Sultan. In this estate, Ilya Repin was inspired to create more than 40 of his masterpieces, including "Moonlight Night", "Autumn Bouquet", "In the Sun" andothers

And visitors to the estate still have the opportunity to walk along the alley of lindens, which the artist planted.

In Polotsk, on Zamkova Street, there is the St. Sophia Cathedral (or Sophia of the Wisdom of God), protected by UNESCO. It belongs to the earliest churches of Orthodoxy, and in Belarus it is considered the first church built of stone. Approximately in the XI century. Prince Vseslav Charodey ordered to build a temple, symbolizing the power of Polotsk. The prototype was the elder brother of the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

The city of Glubokoe and temples in the city of Lepel

And 187 km from Vitebsk is the beautiful city of Glubokoe (Vitebsk region). The sights of this area will appeal to everyone who appreciates the old buildings:

mill (1911);
Carmelite monastery (XVII-XIX c.);
Cathedral in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1639-1654);
Church of the Holy Trinity (1628).

There are also five lakes in the city. Tourists should also visit the Glubokoye Historical and Ethnographic Museum.

And connoisseurs of temples must see the sights of Lepel (Vitebsk region):

St. George's Chapel (1900);
chapel-tombstone (XIX c.);
St. Paraskeva Friday Church (1841-1844);
Church of St. Casimir (1857-1876).

This town is located from Vitebsk at a distance of 110 km. The area is developing rapidly - new buildings are being built here,schools and kindergartens.

Mesmerizing natural scenery

Republican landscape reserve "Yelnya", located in the Miory district, is famous for its glacial lakes and ancient raised bogs, which take the breath away from the tourist. The oldest (at least 9,000 years old) swamp called "Yelnya" occupies 20 thousand hectares.

In autumn, common cranes and geese flock here in large numbers. These places are very rich in cranberries. The berry is so popular here that a special ecological festival is even held in its honor every year.