Cities of Belarus: Orsha attractions

Some tourists to visit historic sites go to cloud Cuckooland, though in their native land, there are unique monuments that offer a glimpse into the distant past, to touch the history of his people. Popular objects could boast of almost all cities of Belarus. One, called Orsha, visiting which will leave a lot of enthusiastic impressions.

A Few words about history

Since time immemorial, is his record of Belarus. Orsha, located in its Eastern part, is the age of Minsk. The first time it is mentioned in the famous "chronicle". We are talking about the year 1067, when the unsuspecting Prince Vseslav of Polotsk, the boat crossed to Orsha across the river to meet with the princes Yaroslaviches. Those guest was seized and put in prison. Only it was not a city but a village, called not Orsha, and RSA (Rust). “On” was added later. Since then a lot of good and bad has seen this land. They were part of the Principality of Polotsk, Lithuanian, Russian, until finally after the October revolution did not become part of the Belarusian Soviet Republic. The transition from one owner to another is always accompanied by heavy fighting. Preserved historical evidence of a bloody massacre, known as “the battle of Orsha” that occurred during the war of Russia and Lithuania (1514). Napoleon also denounced and burned Orsha. By the way, the commandant then there was Marie-Henri beyle, better known to us as the great Stendhal. The latest wave of destruction and horror swept over the city during the Second world war. Brought a lot of grief the Nazis, but Orsha again rose from the ashes, and now warmly welcomes all its tourists.

Location and road connections

There are several localities called Orsha. So, in Russia there are three villages in the Pskov and Tver regions with the same name, Orsha (Belarus) is about 200 km from Minsk in the East, and 80 km from Vitebsk to the South. Is a city at the mouth of Orshitsa, on the banks of this river and the Dnieper. The city lay on the important trade routes from Russia to Poland and Ukraine. Now it is called "East gate" Belarus. Through Orsha holds two international motorways (M1 and M8). M1, popularly called the Olympic, is paid. In addition, through Orsha go the route of Belarus Krichev, Mogilev, Vitebsk, Lepel, Orsha and Dubrovno.

Rail transport

To get to Orsha possible and by rail. In 1871, there began to lay the first railway branch connecting the Smolensk and Brest. This event became a turning point in the history of the city. Although Orsha always occupied an important place as a commercial and economic hub, “junk” was the factor that led to fantastically rapid growth and development of the city. That is why the sights of Orsha include in your list the old steam locomotive standing in the place of honor at the Central station. And the building itself, built in 1912, is an architectural monument. Before him there was another, a wooden station, but so far it has not been preserved. Orsha is a major railway hub, where you can catch international trains connecting Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Vilnius, Lviv, Kiev, Kishinev. There are also commuter trains connecting Orsha with many cities and towns of Belarus.

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The Most ancient monument

Walking the streets of Orsha, guests wonder abundance of buildings with a sign «Historical-cultural value”. It turns out there almost every house is a landmark. However, there is one particularly revered the place indicated by almost every tourist map of the city of Orsha. This is the Castle (or Settlement). Here many centuries ago, stood the Orsha castle, which started life in the city. Five centuries ago, he was a formidable looking man with five towers were armed with cannon, arquebus, gakovic. Unfortunately, it was only from images on ancient maps it's a sign of the tall gate. But for citizens it is a Holy place. They say there's even a special boulder that can cure any ailment. And they say that is still under the castle there are secret passages leading to “White Kovel” another ruined castle in the nearby village of Smolyany.

Monasteries

The Monasteries in force or not, always attract attention. You can say it is the most ancient sights of Orsha. In the city there are several. Kuteinsky men's Holy Epiphany, built on the river Quaint in 1620, survived the era of prosperity and complete neglect. Once it was opened a printing house and produced the first Belarusian “ABC”. Now the monastery and the Holy Trinity Church when it was restored again. Less fortunate Basilian monastery, from which there is only one dilapidated building. From the monastery of the trinitarios also save some, but within its walls now is the city Registrar's office and stored a beautiful mural, so it will be long. But the Uspensky monasterysurvivors of the defeat and the conflagration, was restored and again valid. The Dominican monastery is also restored. Now it is the Church of St. Joseph.

Famous College

Speaking about the attractions of Orsha, it's impossible to ignore the Jesuit College. Founded in 1612, he worked until 1820. The College building is very beautiful. It not only fully restored but also augmented by the picturesque clock tower. Now here are a gallery, library for children and part of the Executive Committee. And in the XVII-XVIII centuries there was organized a school for the children of the city elite, Orsha theatre, worked for the Church. The monastery existed Bursa, a good library, a boarding school for pupils from distant villages. In our days near the College hosts the fair, all city events, festivals, music and entertainment shows.

Sights of our time

Memorials and Monuments dedicated to the heroic struggle of citizens with the Nazis are also the attractions of Orsha. Belarus holds sacred the memory of its defenders and liberators, because in this country the Germans destroyed three quarters of the population. Of particular interest to the younger generation and tourists is the memorial complex of «For our Soviet Motherland" (the second name of «Katyusha»). In Orsha was tested this weapon that caused the Germans in horror. In 1941 the whole 8 seconds was released a few experimental shells completely destroyed the trains with German technology. Being in Orsha, not to lay flowers at the Mound of Immortality, where there is a handful of earth from the Brest fortress.

And children will no doubt enjoy a walk through the wonderful Park called "Dreamland", where you can see Gulliver, crocodile Gena singing under the accordion in the day, the fabulous gin and many other beloved fairy tale characters. In the Park there is even a little railway, a fun train ride for kids drowning in flowers and greenery to alleys.

Museums

The Story about sights of Orsha would be incomplete without mention of the museums located in the city and region.

Always popular with tourists-the Museum of Ethnography “mill”, located in the old mill building. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 PM.

Just recently opened and immediately became the favorite to wooden sculptures Museum. All the exhibits made by talented Carver semen Shavrov. The sculptures look so realistic that they seem alive. The Museum also includes a workshop in which the followers of the talented artists are taught the art of carving all comers.

Nearby, in the village of Leuke, works complex reserve of Yanka Kupala. It is open for visits every day except Monday.

Another place that you must visit, – the Museum of partisan Zaslonova, the former leader of the guerrilla army in Orsha district.