Tour Ancient Zaslavl - Stalin line

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 ...

In the external appearance of Zaslavl, traces of a provincial town are traced. Frequent inter-war wars, changes of owners caused great damage to the city. Many historical monuments were destroyed. Only some of them have survived to this day. The historical center of Zaslavl is the center of an ancient city with preserved monuments of architecture and archeology of the 10th-19th centuries. and museum facilities. It includes most of the historical and archaeological reserve "Zaslavl", as well as the houses of individual, mainly old, buildings.

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the main architectural landmarks of Zaslavl, located on the central Market Square of the city. The church was built in the 18th century in the late Baroque style at the initiative of Antoni Tadeusz Przezdziecki. Renowned craftsmen worked on its decoration, including the Italian architect Carlo Spampani. After the uprising of 1863, the church was transferred to the Orthodox Church and rebuilt, and during World War II, the building was destroyed. Restoration began in the late 20th century, and in 2003 the church once again became Catholic. Today, it is recognized as a historical and cultural treasure of Belarus and a symbol of Zaslavl's spiritual heritage.

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.

The Zaslavl Transfiguration Church is a place where history comes to life. Built in the 16th century, it preserves traces of different eras – from a Calvinist cathedral to an Orthodox cathedral church. Its high tower, massive walls, and remnants of former fortifications remind visitors of its defensive significance. According to legends, ancient underground passages beneath the church may have been used to store treasures. Today, the church remains active and attracts not only pilgrims but also history enthusiasts, as every detail holds incredible mysteries of the past. You can visit this unique church as part of excursion tours around Zaslavl.

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.

From 1930th years there has begun the existence «Stalin's Line» - the system of nodal defensive works. Huge territories were occupied by her: from the Karelian Isthmus to coast of the Black Sea. On the basis of the Minsk ukreprayon the complex of the same name - «Stalin's Line» is created. Here the collection of the military and engineering equipment, largest in the CIS, which belongs both to the period of the Great Patriotic War and by post-war time is collected and also defensive works are presented a different look.