Braslav: sightseeings

250 km from Minsk and only 15 km from the Lithuanian border there is a small and cozy Braslav. The sights of the city and its environs are an ancient and full of mysteries, a beautiful church, an old brick mill and, of course, lakes.

History and Heraldry

The city of Braslav with a population of ten thousand people is located in the north of the country. On all sides it is surrounded by forests and picturesque lakes, thanks to which, by the way, Belarus is often called "blue-eyed". This ancient city, with its rich history. He had much to see and experience in his lifetime.

Already in the IX century, the first settlement was formed here. The first written mention of Braslav dates back to 1065. In the XIV century, the city became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and in 1500 received the Magdeburg Law.

XVII and XVIII century were not easy for the city and its inhabitants. As a result of numerous Braslav wars repeatedly destroyed. In 1795 the city became part of the Russian Empire, and in 1922 it again falls under the rule of Poland. In 1944, the Soviet troops drove the Germans out of Braslav and occupied a small town.

What interesting can show today's visiting tourist Braslav? The sights of the city are not only historical and architectural objects, but also monuments of nature.

In addition, the real highlight of this village is its coat of arms, which many associate with the Masons. On it you can actually see the image of the eye in the blue triangle. However, it is a symbol of "divine observation" and in this case protects the city and its inhabitants from various troubles and misfortunes.

Braslav: attractions and places of interest

The city in the Vitebsk region today is an important recreational and tourist center of Belarus. A mild climate, clean air and lakes full of fish attract thousands of tourists every year.

What can be of interest to Braslav himself? Sightseeing, which is definitely worth a visit to every tourist, are listed below:

• Hillfort of Castle Hill;
• The Church of the Nativity;
• Temple of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin;
• Water mill of the early twentieth century;
• The Narbut hospital building;
• Local History Museum;
• Museum of Culture and Traditions;
• Park "Belmont";
• Healing springs Okmenets;
• Old Christian cemetery of the XIX-XX centuries.

Castle Hill - a place of legends and puzzles

On a low 14-meter high hill between the lakes of Novyat and Drivyati there is an ancient settlement. Here you can still see the remains of fortified fortifications of the 9th-12th centuries. With this place is associated the emergence of Braslav himself.

The Castle Hill impresses not so much with the preserved fragments of earthen ramparts and fortifications, as the stunning views that open from its shallow summit. There are small wooden gazebos designed for outdoor recreation.

At the top of Zamkova Mountain there is a commemorative block, informing that it was here that Braslav began. Nearby is the grave of the local doctor and philanthropist Stanislaw Narbut, marked by a high obelisk. He built and opened the first public hospital in the city with his own money.

Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Just beyond the Castle Hill, you can explore other sights of Braslav. Among them is the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, built in the 1820s.

The sacred structure is built in the neo-Romanesque style, using the traditional technique for the Baltic region of alternating red brick and stone boulders in the masonry. Inside the temple is a valuable relic - an icon of the Mother of God of Braslav, which is shown to visitors only on holidays.

It is known that at the time of Hitler's occupation of the city the rector of the church Mieczyslaw Akreitsz was shot by the Germans. In the fifties, the church was turned into a grain warehouse, but two years later they returned the parishioners.

Mill and Narbut hospital

In the historical part of Braslav, several other beautiful old buildings have been preserved. One of them is a massive water mill made of brick and stone. It was built in the early twentieth century, and now serves as a museum.

Another interesting building can be seen in the city - this is the hospital Narbuta, which was discussed above. The talented doctor Stanislav Narbut built in Braslav a hospital that meets all the requirements of European medicine. Within its walls, he conducted dozens of complex operations, saving the lives of both adults and children. The red building of the hospital is located directly under the Castle Hill and is distinguished by a restrained, but rather exquisite brick wall decoration. Now in this building there is an Orthodox monastery.

Virgin purity and idyll of the Braslav Lakes

In the story about the tourist sites of the Belarusian city, we can not fail to mention the reservoirs that surround it. Braslav Lakes is a group of reservoirs and a national park with a total area of 130 square kilometers. A great place to relax and watch the wildlife. In total, there are 70 reservoirs of different sizes. The largest of them are Drivyaty, Snudy, Tsno, and also Strusto lake. On the shore of the latter, by the way, is the Okmenets spring with medicinal mineral water.

Braslav Lakes attract a large number of tourists and holidaymakers, especially in the summer. On their shores are modern recreation centers, campsites and cottages, parking for tents. You can enjoy the picturesque panoramas of lakes, climbing the mountain Mayak, where a wooden observation deck is specially equipped for tourists.

Finally

Braslav is a small town in the north-western part of Belarus, which is surrounded on all sides by coniferous forests and lakes with crystal clear water. Thanks to these natural resources, it has become a popular resort center.

In the city itself, you must visit several interesting places and attractions. Among them are the Castle Hill with remains of ancient trees, the neo-Romanesque Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the water mill and the Stanislava Narbuta hospital, the museum of local lore. After viewing all these facilities, you can perfectly relax on the shores of one of the Braslav Lakes.