Ancient Zaslavl

Driving along the south-western outskirts of Zaslavl, one can not help paying attention to the ring shaft. It is located on the top of a hill, above the swampy bark of the river. The fortress, built more than a thousand years ago, was an important outpost of the north-western borders of Vladimir Svyatoslavovich. Since 985 the fortress is the same chronicle Izyaslavl, founded, according to legend, by Prince Vladimir for Rogneda and Izyaslav. About the dramatic events with the Polotsk princess Rogneda for centuries, remembered in Russia, chroniclers and epic owners. About what meanly and at the same time colorful narrations of ancient writings, about which numerous poetic and prose works are composed, theatrical performances and screen versions are put ...

After the destruction of the first Izyaslav fort, a new one was erected - on the high bank of Svisloch. Since the XI century, it has its history and keeps it in the ramparts and mighty walls of a defensive church - now the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, which proudly towers over the site of the ancient settlement. Man-made fortifications and obstacles in combination with natural obstacles made Zaslavsky Castle at that time almost impregnable. The castle was a military, administrative, political and religious center of the city. The history of the ancient settlement is closely connected with the history of the whole settlement. The walls of the site will help you remember those distant times when the inhabitants of the city fought here, protecting their property and freedom.

In an environment of Shaft, in the 16th century the church was built. Instead of distinguished scenery, till the 17th century it was decorated by powerful walls and loopholes. The mission of the temple was not only in service to God, but also in defense of citizens. Being constructed for Protestants, it belonged in due time and to Catholics, and after – returned to orthodox parish. In 1833, in memory of the Church of the Transfiguration which was in Zaslavla and burned down, the temple was consecrated under these a name.

The 100th anniversary was celebrated by the oldest steam mill in Belarus. Today it is an ethnographic complex "Mlyn", which attracts guests with its authenticity and unique atmosphere. And the local steam mill is on the move. This is not a dead museum exhibit - the mill can be started at any time in a job that it has been doing for a long time - from 1910 to 1996, serving the people of Zaslavl reliably, and not only them. In addition, three floors of the mill occupy the most interesting exhibits.

Hunting, collecting, construction of the dwelling – the wood was the chief assistant to our ancestors, in severe living conditions. The fires, thunderstorms, predators, dense bogs – the wood was also their main threat. It is obvious that search of harmony with the nature became the main task of people. And, of course, the mythology of Belarusians has been directly connected with the wood. At will, you can visit the museum of mythology and the wood. Here you learn a lot of new about the World Tree, you will get acquainted with an animal and flora of the Zaslavsky woods, you learn about the highest deities of our ancestors and plunge into the world of darkness where you are waited by unexpected meetings with powers of darkness.