250 kilometers from Minsk and just 15 kilometers from the Lithuanian border is a small and cozy Braslav. The sights of the city and its environs are an ancient and full of mysteries fortification, 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. From all sides it is surrounded by forests and picturesque lakes, due to which, by the way, Belarus is often called “blue-eyed”. This city is ancient, with its rich history. He had a chance to see and experience a lot in his lifetime.
Already in the 9th 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.
The 17th and 18th centuries were not easy for the city and its inhabitants. As a result of numerous wars, Braslav was repeatedly destroyed. In 1795 the city became part of the Russian Empire, and in 1922 it was again under the rule of Poland. In 1944, Soviet troops ousted the Germans from Braslav and occupiedtown.
What interesting things can today's Braslav show to a visiting tourist? The sights of the city are not only historical and architectural objects, but also natural monuments.
In addition, the real highlight of this locality is its coat of arms, which many associate with Masons. On it you can really see the image of the eye in the blue triangle. However, it is a symbol of "divine supervision" 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. The mild climate, clean air and lakes full of fish attract thousands of tourists every year.
What could be interesting for Braslav himself? The must-see attractions for every tourist are listed below:
- fortification of Zamkovaya Gora;
- Church of the Nativity;
- Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
- watermill of the early twentieth century;
- Narbut hospital building;
- local history museum;
- museum of culture and traditions;
- Belmont Park;
- healing spring Okmenitsa;
- old Christian cemetery of the XIX-XX centuries.
Castle Hill - a place of legends and mysteries
An ancient settlement is located on a low 14-meter hill between lakes Novyata and Drivyaty. Here you can still see the remains of fortifications of the IX-XII centuries. With thisthe place is connected with the emergence of Braslav himself.
Castle Hill impresses not so much with preserved fragments of earth ramparts and fortifications, but with stunning views that open from its gentle top. There are small wooden gazebos designed for outdoor recreation.
At the top of the Castle Hill there is a commemorative block that says that this is where Braslav began. Nearby is the grave of the local doctor and philanthropist Stanislav 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
Immediately under the Castle Hill you can see other sights of Braslav. Among them is the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God, built in the 1820s.
The sacral building was built in the Neo-Romanesque style, using the traditional B altic region technique of alternating red brick and stone boulders in masonry. A valuable relic is kept inside the temple - the icon of the Mother of God of Braslav, which is shown to visitors exclusively on holidays.
It is known that during the Nazi occupation of the city, the Germans shot the rector of the church Mechislav Akreits. In the 1950s, the church was turned into a grain warehouse, but two years later it was returned to parishioners.
Mill and Narbut Hospital
In the historical part of Braslav, several more ancient beautiful buildings have been preserved. One of them is a massive water mill made of bricks andstone. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century and now serves as a museum.
Another interesting building can be seen in the city - this is the Narbut hospital, which has already been discussed above. The talented doctor Stanislav Narbut built a hospital in Braslav that meets all the requirements of European medicine. Within its walls, he performed 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 discreet, but rather refined brick wall decor. Now this building houses an Orthodox monastery.
Virgin purity and idyll of the Braslav Lakes
In the story about the tourist sites of the Belarusian city, it is impossible not 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 observe wildlife. In total, there are 70 reservoirs of different sizes. The largest of them are Drivyaty, Snudy, Tsno, as well as Lake Strusto. On the shore of the latter, by the way, there is the Okmenitsa spring with healing mineral water.
Braslav lakes attract a large number of tourists and vacationers, especially in summer. On their shores there are modern recreation centers, campsites and cottages, camping sites for tents. You can enjoy the picturesque panoramas of the lakes to your heart's content by climbing Mount Mayak, where a wooden observation deck is specially equipped for tourists.
In closing
Braslav -a small town in the northwestern 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 destination.
In the city itself, you should definitely visit several interesting places and attractions. Among them are the Castle Hill with the remains of ancient ramparts, the neo-Romanesque church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the water mill and Stansislav Narbut's hospital, and the local history museum. After visiting all these objects, you can perfectly relax on the shores of one of the Braslav lakes.
