Zaslavl - Krevo - Golshany

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.

In the long 14th century, a castle was erected in Krevo by the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gedimin. It became one of the 6 most impregnable fortresses of his time, having only 2 towers and walls made of stone and red brick. Exectly here, in the large defensive tower, according to the orders of his nephew Jagiello, one of the princes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Kaystut, was strangled. And after 3 years, a legal document was signed here that influenced the course of the entire European history. In the walls of the castle he Kreva Unia was signed - an agreement of the union of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish Kingdom. Time and wars destroyed the fortress almost to the ground. On the tour you will have the opportunity to see the ruins that hold the history of great events.

In the 17th century, a grand palac was built in Halšaná, which had no analogues in the entire Grand Duchy of Lithuania and in the Kingdom of Poland. Thanks to the splendor of the external and internal decoration and the integrity of the plan, it was rightfully considered as one of the most beautiful in the Commonwealth of the XVII century. Sub-Chancellor of the GDL Pavel Sapega, became the founder of this project, the owner of a new and original solution. Magnate residence reflected the whims of Mannerism, which completed the Renaissance, preparing the ground for lush architecture and a whole Baroque era. Frequent further change of owners played an evil role in the life of the architectural «flower» - only ruins have reached this day. It keep history, former grandeur and glory. The legendary past of the estate of Pavel Sapieha entered the work of Vladimir Korotkevich - the novel «Black Castle Olshansky», which became a basic for screen adaptation and theatrical productions.

The Franciscan monastery in Golshany, erected in the 16th century, gained almost as much fame as the Golshany Castle. And the whole point is that in addition to the beautiful appearance, its story got a mystical color. According to one of the legends, a young woman was embroiled in a wall that was continually collapsing. The building was saved - since that time the building has never been destroyed. However, the legend has acquired a very real continuation - you will learn about it on an excursion. Let's just say that during the restaurant, a skeleton was actually found in the walls.