Polotsk is one of the oldest cities in Belarus. Located near the border with Russia, in the Vitebsk region. It has a population of about 85,000. The first mention of the city dates back to 862, when the Principality of Polotsk was founded.
Polotsk
Over the entire period of its existence, Polotsk survived the invasion of the Vikings, the invasion of the Crusaders, and was repeatedly occupied by the troops of various conquerors. The first prince of Polotsk was Rogvolod. After his death, the principality was ruled by Izyaslav Vladimirovich (988-1001), the founder of the Izyaslavich family. In 1307 the city became part of the Lithuanian Principality. In 1563, Polotsk was captured by the troops of Ivan the Terrible. After 16 years, he again returned to the Duchy of Lithuania. After the collapse of the Commonwealth, in 1792, Polotsk became part of the Russian Empire. Since 1991 it has been a city of the Republic of Belarus.
St. Sophia Cathedral is a cathedral built between 1044 and 1066, on the right bank of the Western Dvina. Construction began under Prince Vseslav Bryachislavich (Sorcerer). In 1596 the cathedral passed to the Uniates. After a fire and partial destruction, in 1607, the cathedral was in disrepair. In 1618, the Uniate Archbishop Josaphat Kuntsevich rebuilt the temple. After that, he more than once experienced the fire and recovered again.
During the Great Northern War, the cathedral was closed and given over to a powder store. In 1710, the warehouse was blown up and stood in ruins until 1738. 12 years later, a basilica was built on the site of the St. Sophia Cathedral, which was consecrated in honor of the Descent of the Holy Spirit. During the Patriotic War of 1812, the French used the cathedral as a stable. In 1839, the cathedral again passed to the Orthodox. From 1911 to 1914, the cathedral was overhauled. During the German occupation, the temple was operational. Now the temple has been completely restored and organ music concerts are held here every Sunday.
The Savior Euphrosyne Monastery was founded in 1120 by the Polotsk princess Predslava, but she is better known as the Euphrosyne of Polotsk. She was the granddaughter of Vseslav the Sorcerer on the paternal side and the granddaughter of Vladimir Monomakh on the maternal side. At the age of 12, the little princess decided to become a nun. Parents were against it, they predicted a bright future and a profitable marriage for her. The rebellious daughter fled and took tonsure in one of the monasteries, then she received a new one - Euphrosinia. A few years later, with the permission of the bishop himself, she moved to one of the cells of the Sophia Cathedral. There she translated books. From the bishop, Efrosinya received a plot of land near Polotsk and decided to build a monastery there. The monastery has experienced both good times and bad. In 1579 the monastery became the residence of King Stephen Batory, who gave the monastery to the Jesuits. In 1656, Polotsk was captured by Russian troops and, by order of the tsar, the monastery was returned to the Orthodox. However, not for long. Several more times the monastery passed from Orthodox to Jesuits and vice versa. This lasted until 1832, when he finally became Orthodox, and a little later female. In 1928 the monastery was closed. After the liberation of Belarus from the Nazis, nuns settled here again. They lived there until 1960, until the next closure. The monastery has been active since 1990.
There are many wonderful places in Polotsk that must and can be seen.
- Complex of the former Jesuit collegium
- Former Lutheran Church
- Defensive shaft of Ivan the Terrible
- Borisov stone
- Monument to Euphrosyne of Polotsk
- Red Bridge - a monument to the war of 1812
- Epiphany Cathedral
- Monument to Prince Vseslav Bryachislavich of Polotsk and much more.
This is just a short story about several cities in Belarus with a rich history. There are many more places and cities that, unfortunately, we did not have enough time to visit. I would like to come back here again and again. See Brest, Minsk, Vitebsk, Mogilev, Gomel, Grodno, Lida. Visit Dudutki, Belovezhskaya Pushcha, see chalk quarries. I hope I'll write you more about traveling to these places.
In general, only positive emotions remained from Belarus. Here they remember, love and honor their history.
