Towns and Cities of Belarus

Minsk

Minsk is our capital city, its political, economic, scientific and cultural centre. It is one of  the oldest and most picturesque places of our republic. It is situated on the Svisloch  river and stretches for 200 km. Its population is more than 2 mln people. As you see this huge city can be really considered  the heart of Belarus.

 Some historians associate the name of the city with the river Menka, but legends say that the city derives its name from the word « mena ». In ancient times there was a border market in the newly-founded settlement on the river bank of the Svisloch and then it grew into an artisan and commercial centre.

The city was founded earlier than in the 11^th  century, but officially the fact of its existence was firstly mentioned and recorded in chronicles in 1067 in connection with the battle on the river Nemiga, but it was ruined as a result of this battle. After the death of Prince Vseslav in 1101 his son Gleb took possession of  Minsk and made it the capital of an independent principality. When Belarus  was reunited with Russia, Minsk was turned into the centre of Belarusian Gubernia. It was a progressive development and throughout the 17-18^th centuries the city remained an industrial and cultural centre. Minsk rapidly grew and developed, but stable economic and cultural development of the city was interrupted by the Napoleon troops in 1812, and the city had to be rebuilt again. During the 19^th century Minsk due to rail links with major Russian cities Minsk grew to be a large industrial centre. In January,1919 Minsk became the capital of Soviet Byelorussia. In the 20^th century the foreign invaders occupied Belarusian capital more than once. Firstly, it was occupied by Germany, then by Poland and then again by Germany. The most  terrible disaster befell the city in the years of fascist invasion. Minsk had never been subjected to such destruction and devastation throughout its long  history. And when it was liberated on July 3^rd ,1944 people saw nothing, but ruins and ashes. And in 1984, our city was awarded the title of the Hero City for its heroism in connection with the 40^th anniversary of Belarusian liberation from fascist invaders.

The modern city, you see now, was created by its citizens. And every time our people rebuilt the city , it became even more beautiful than before. To our great  regret , only a few ancient buildings have kept safe. Among them the Central Cathedral and the Simon and Helen’s Roman-Catholic church. From my point of view, the Troitsky suburb is the most beautiful and romantic place which used to be a part of an old city many years ago.

Modern Minsk is a huge centre with a highly developed industry. There are hundreds of industrial enterprises which produce tractors and lorries, motor-cycles, refrigerators, TV-sets, watches, footwear, food and other goods. Our  Belarusian tractors, MAZ trucks have a high reputation both in our country and abroad. Actually, Minsk exports its goods to more than 80 countries. Its enterprises cooperate with foreign firms. There are a lot of joint ventures too.

Our city is known to be an educational centre. The first educational establishment, the Belarusian State University, was founded in 1921. Now our city has 16 state and many commercial high educational establishments and the Academy of Sciences. Many foreign students come to Minsk to study.

If  you are a nature lover, there are many parks and green zones for you. They are usually called the lungs of Minsk. Our Botanical Garden is one of the most pleasant and beautiful places .

Speaking about Minsk, we should describe its cultural life. If you like an organized entertainment, you can always go to see an interesting film, to watch a concert or a performance. There are plenty of them to everybody’s taste: there are 6 theatres , a lot of museums and cinemas in Minsk. The oldest of  them  is the Belarusian Yanka Kupala State Theatre. It was built in 1920. My favourite  theatre is the Opera and Ballet Theatre, because I’m very fond of  ballet, but opera leaves me cold.

In the evening you can simply enjoy a drink in bars and restaurants. You can taste some food from all over the world and, of course, the national cuisine; you can dance or listen to music performed by Belarusian and foreign singers.

 

Molodechno

Maladychyn is a city, center of Maladychyn District in Minsk Voblasc'. It is located 68km North-West of Belarusian capital - Minsk. Maladychyn is known as a settlement since 1388 as part of the Grand Duche of Lithuania. It was part of Vil'na Vaiavodstva since 1413 and was transfered to Minsk Pavet at the end ov XVIc. At different times Maladychyn was a town in private ownership of powerful Belarusian feudal families - "magnats" - of Zaslauski, Mscislauski, Sanhushka, Ahinski (Oginski). A castle was built in Maladychyn in XVcentury

  Zaslauje

Zaslauje is a town in Miensk region, situated on the Svislac river, 27 km North-West of the capital Miensk (Minsk). The population is 11,500 people.The town of "Iziaslaul" was first mentioned in the chronicles of the year 987 AD. An old legend has it that the town was built by Uladzimir, the prince of Kiev, who then left it to his wife, Rahnieda, the princess of Polacak, and his son Iziaslau. From the 11th to the 14th century the town was the centre of a principality of the same name. Today Zaslauje is a small city near Miensk (Minsk). Due to its proximity to the Zaslaue reservoir the city offers good possibilities for hillwalking and tourism.

Svetlahorsk

Svetlahorsk is a district center in Gomel region, 110 kilometres north-west of Gomel. Svetlahorsk is known since XVI century as a village of Shacilkavichy (later Shacilki).  In 1793 it became part of Russian Empire. The city has a population of 10,000.

Orsha

Orsha  is an ancient town in Eastern Belarus, 80km South of Vicebsk. Orsha is situated at confluence of Dnieper and Arshyca rivers. The first written mentioning of the city as "Rsha" was "Chronicle of Bygone Years" in 1067. At that time it was part of Polacak principality. In the middle of XII century it had about 5 thousands citizen. Orsha became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1320.The town's location on one of the largest European rivers - Dnieper - determined it's history as port and trading post. Orsha  castle was built in XIV century. Orsha  received its own coat of arms and Magdeburg Rights on December 13, 1620. Orsha  experienced significant growth in the second half of XIX century. It becomes a large railway station and still has a port. Today it is administrative center in Orsha region of Vicebsk region.

Lepel

The settlement of Lepel (originally Leplia) became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1439 and was originally in private ownership of Vivebsk Catholic church, to which it was given as a present from son of Zhyhimont Kejstutavich - Duke Mikalaj. In 1580 the town had 300 households -a part on the island in the lake, which was connected via a bridge.  Lepel belonged to Leu Sapega, who moved the city 5km to a village of Belae (belonged to Sapega since 1548). Here he built a castle, two churches - Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic, shops. The town was referred as New Lepel', while Old Lepel' dwindles down into a village. In 1609 Lepel was given as a present to Bernardin order monastery in Vilna. In 1805 Lepel' became state- owned by Russian Empire (it is part of Russian Empire since 1793). In 1852 Lepel' city coat of arms "Pahonia" ("Chase") was approved. In  1812 Lepel was severely destroyed in Napoleon war. In  1833 big fire in Lepel destroyed the city again.  In 1924 Lepel became center of Lepel administrative region in BSSR. Today the population of Lepelis 19 thousand people. Lepel' region has 45.3 thousand people in it.