Tour Polotsk - Vitebsk - Zdravnevo (2 days)

An excursion from Minsk to Polotsk is a unique journey to a city with over a thousand years of history — the cradle of Belarusian statehood. You will encounter the majestic Saint Sophia Cathedral — a symbol of spiritual equality with Byzantium, explore ancient monasteries and the university housed in the former Jesuit college, where you can still see Gruber’s "Mechanical Head." You'll touch the Boris Stone with its mysterious inscription, stroll the streets once walked by Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk, and discover the geographical center of Europe, museums, bridges, and the secrets hidden behind historic facades. The excursion to Polotsk is sure to be a revelation full of inspiration and vivid impressions.

This tour is perfect for those who appreciate spiritual and cultural depth and are interested in history and architecture. The excursion from Minsk to Polotsk can be arranged for both individual travelers and corporate groups looking to combine an educational getaway with the atmosphere of genuine antiquity. It’s more than a trip — it’s a journey to the roots that will leave a lasting impression on every traveler.

The palace of the Governor decorates Zapadnaya Dvina Embankment from the second half of the 19th century. The beautiful Palace Square became the favourite place of citizens from the moment of the emergence – it was not similar to others. Force and tranquility of the palace were in harmony with small benches along Dvina, the streaming water of the fountain and wind music reaching from the palace. And it reached often, receptions and balls were not a rarity – it becomes obvious if to remember some guests and inhabitants of the palace: шляхтич Kudinovich, brother of the empress Maria Fyodorovna duke Wurtemberg, Napoléon I, Nicholas I's brother prince Konstantin Pavlovich, writer and first Russian historical romantist Ivan Lazhechnikov. And at the beginning of the 20th century the most famous American Isadora Duncan danced here. We suggest to see the palace and to you.

Annunciation Church – one of the oldest in Vitebsk, so, for certain, kept something unusual and unique that you and should learn. There was it in the 12th century as the embodiment of Old Russian architecture. Also the architecture of the temple which more than once is already reconstructed owing to time and events, and an original laying of "the drowned row" - used only in 2 temples of the world – in Vitebsk and in Constantinople is interesting.

The Vitebsk town hall – a fine monument of architecture and an example of a combination of two refined styles: baroque and classicism. A town hall – a symbol of the city which keeps the memory of times of independence and self-government granted with the Magdebourg right. She organically fitted into ensemble of the historic center of Vitebsk which draws attention with a set unusual the embodiments of an architect thought.

In the middle of the 18th century on the high Uspensky mountain that contains a minimum of 1000 of existence, monks to the baziliyena built the stone temple, on the place of former wooden. Time is ruthless – it was repeatedly destroyed and changed. Restoration of initial shape is complete recently - in 2011. And now Assumption Cathedral as if floats again over the city and the river – its domes are visible from all corners of Vitebsk, and also the ring of the biggest bell in Belarus is far heard. Only the beautiful twisting ladder connects it to the earth.

In view of events of the II World war – there is a lot of memorial complexes devoted to it in Belarus. Vitebsk did not become an exception – here the biggest square in Belarus – Victory Square reminds of events of those years. Efforts of remarkable architects created unusual and very solemn complex which includes the composition "Three bayonets" with bas-reliefs reminding "Kurgan of Slava", the Eternal flame, 2 pools with fountains, thematic sculptures and the system of illumination which creates the special atmosphere at the Victory Square in the evening.

Amazing church of Saint Varvara (Barbara) – one more diamond of architecture of Vitebsk which appeared here at the end of the 18th century. Use of a red brick and combination of refined styles: baroque and neoromance – create the unique image of the temple. Reserved and monumental, strict and a little mystical it attracts all eyes of passersby and definitely costs your attention.

Vitebsk - the Homeland of the world famous artist Marc Chagall. Throughout all life of the master Vitebsk was a perennial spring of inspiration. Domes of temples and ancient small streets, tiny houses and shops with signs, tapes of wooden fences and carriers on streets forever remained on picturesque cloths, together with its well-known angels and lovers soaring in the sky … Marc Chagall's museum will open for you pages of life and works of the artist.

Summer Amphitheater – the main concert venue of the international festival of arts "A Slavic market in Vitebsk" since 1992. The open concert hall instantly won popularity among performers. From the first "A Slavic market" it became the main concert venue of a festival. For quarter of the century, namely it was executed to an amphitheater so much, its stage was visited practically by all famous performers of the CIS countries. The grandiose construction with the modern light and sound system developed by infrastructure is glad to both entertainment stars, and the audience, and fans of travel.

The museum-estate «Zdravnevo» is a branch of the Vitebsk Regional Museum of Local History, the exposition of which is dedicated to the life and work of the famous Russian artist Ilya Repin.
The museum was created on the site of the manor of the painter, which he acquired in 1982 and where the paintings «Belorussian», «Autumn Bouquet», «In the Sun», «Duel», «Moonlight Night», etc. were drawn. In the exposition: things from the use of the Repin family, furniture of the end of the XIX - beginning. XX century, Repin watercolors, drawings, icons written for the Sloboda Church, as well as original photographs, letters and books.