Polotsk. Return To The Origins.

Polotsk is one of the most beautiful towns in Belarus, enjoying an attractive riverside location on the River Western Dvina. The town is dominated by the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in the centre. Originally built between 1044 and 1066, it was a rival for cathedrals of the same name in Kiev and Novgorod. Much of the cathedral has been destroyed and rebuilt, but the eastern elevation and some of the basement walls are original.

Potolsk is full of historical buildings and monuments. Other interesting places to visit in the town include:

• Boris’ Stone (12th century)
• Red Bridge over the river Polota, commemorating the bloody battles of the Napoleonic wars
• Museum of Belarusian Typography
• Museum of Regional History and Culture
• Saint Ephrosinia Convent (12th century)
• Epiphany Monastery (1582)
• Monument to the 23 Guardsmen – commemorating those who died defending the town in 1944 

Polotsk is the fist Belarusian town named  Belarus’ Capital of Culture due to its outstanding historical and cultural heritage, rich cultural life. Polotsk has been announced Belarus’ 2010 Capital of Culture. Polotsk’ 1150th anniversary was included in the Calendar of Events of UNESCO in 2012-2013. A photo exhibition “Ancient Polotsk. Modern Polotsk” was held in the UN headquarters in Paris in November 2012. An international conference “History and Archeology of Polotsk and Polotsk Land” supported by UNESCO took place in Polotsk in November.

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