Polotsk is the oldest city in the Vitebsk region in Belarus. This city is located on the banks of the Western Dvina River. The first mention of Polotsk refers to the distant year 862.
Historical background
Now only about 90 thousand inhabitants live in the city. Once 60% of the population were Jewish families. However, times and customs have changed. Most of the local residents left for permanent residence in the "Promised Land".
For centuries, the city absorbed the culture of different civilizations. The mentality of the Polovtsy was shaped by the influence of different cultures: Scandinavians, B alts, Russians, Jews. The path “from the Varangians to the Greeks” passed through the ancient settlement along the river, which affected the development of international relations and the culture of local residents.
Reasons for visiting Polotsk
There are many reasons to visit this city, which holds the imprints of different cultures, peoples, crafts and relationships. The city itselfcompact, all sights of historical and cultural significance are located along the Western Dvina River. This is how Polotsk itself is located. There are few hotels in the city. That is why it is worth worrying about places in them in advance if there is a need to visit Polotsk.
If you happen to be in this town, then you should stop to see with your own eyes the original beauty of Belarus, which has recently been trying in every possible way to crush ice palaces, "stone jungle" of pseudo-parks.
Sights and historical sites
In Polotsk, a lot is different than in other cities of the country. Perhaps, its remoteness from the capital or a large number of historically significant places affects.
- St. Sophia Cathedral is a monument of Byzantine culture. This is the first stone building in Belarus.
- The masterpiece of Slavic culture and the pinnacle of the talent of the ancient architect John is the Spaso-Efrosinevsky Monastery. There are the relics of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, a symbol of the high spirituality of Belarusians.
- The monument to Euphrosyne of Polotsk herself in the form of an altar cross.
- The Monastery of the Epiphany is a stronghold of the Belarusian Orthodox culture of the past centuries.
- The architectural complex of the Jesuit Collegium-Academy is a place where in the period from the 17th to the 20th centuries one could get a good European-style education. Now Polotsk State University is located within these walls.
- The monument to the amazing Belarusian letter "Ў" remindseveryone about the peculiarities of the local culture.
- There are monuments in Polotsk to famous countrymen who once lived and worked on the land of Polotsk: Francis Skaryna, Simeon of Polotsk.
- The rampart of Ivan the Terrible is an earthen fortification during the Livonian War.
- Monument to the soldiers of the Patriotic War of 1812, including the "Red Bridge", reconstructed in 1975.
- The Holy Gate with a bell tower is a historical monument.
- Monument to Grand Duke Vseslav Bryachislavovich, who ruled successfully from 1044 to 1101.
- The house of Peter the Great. Where he once lived in 1705.
There are many sights. A day is not enough to explore them and visit all the museums. Therefore, to get acquainted with the city of Polotsk, hotels are simply necessary. You can comfortably relax in them.
Hotels in Polotsk
A few hotels in Polotsk offer a variety of prices for accommodation. It all depends on the living conditions, hotel category, location and additional services.
What does Polotsk offer? Hotels, mini-hotels, guest houses, hostels - all these are the places that will give their cosiness and comfort to the guests of the city. And the benevolent and friendly Polovtsy will always suggest the necessary route, give advice in choosing a place to stay.
The hotel base of the city of Polotsk, as already mentioned, is small:
- Hotel Dvina.
- Hotel complex Slavyansky.
- Guest house on Zygina.
- Hotel at the plant "Polotsk-Fiberglass".
- Hotel Parus.
- Hostel Sofia.
- Apartments "On Marinenko".
There are also hotels in the suburbs and the neighboring city of Novopolotsk, however, by Belarusian standards, such remoteness is inappropriate. If you are already going to Polotsk, you need to choose hotels where you can stay in the city itself. The most popular are Dvina and Parus.
Hotel Dvina
The hotel "Dvina" is part of the largest hotel complex "Slavyansky". From the windows of the building offers a gorgeous view of the coast of the Western Dvina and part of the city of Polotsk. Hotel "Dvina" is the oldest post-war building, decorated with bas-reliefs and columns. It opened in December 1954. Of course, during this period the building underwent renovation and reconstruction several times. However, outwardly it did not change.
The hotel has 111 rooms of different categories. There are standards, queens, suites, suites.
Each of these rooms is equipped with everything you need for rest and work. The rooms are equipped with modern appliances and ergonomic furniture. Each has a shower room and a bathroom, a refrigerator and a telephone, a work desk and a TV. The bathroom is always stocked with personal hygiene items and a hairdryer. Superior rooms and suites have a dining area with fully stocked kitchenette.
Breakfast is included in the rate and is served at the hotel restaurant until 10 am. According to the reviews of the guests of this hotel, the restaurant at the hotel has good cuisine, which serves dishes of national andEuropean.
At the hotel "Dvina" there is a sauna, a restaurant, a cafeteria, a hairdresser, a bathhouse. There are free parking spaces in the courtyard of the hotel complex.
Next to the hotel there are such attractions as the monuments to F. Skaryna and S. Polotsky. A memorial sign has been erected nearby, reminding everyone that Polotsk is the geographical center of all of Europe.
Sail is the best hotel in the city
The second major and popular hotel is Parus. It is located in the building of a new sports complex in the city center. There is a training base for athletes of the highest qualification in rowing. The intricate building resembles a ship. It consists of 3 blocks of different heights and sizes. The Parus Hotel (Polotsk) is part of the rowing center system. Guests can use all the halls located in the building: sauna, gyms, games room, swimming pool, bathhouse. The hotel offers fitness, yoga, strip plastic services.
The hotel is designed for simultaneous accommodation of 100 people. The number base is 59 rooms of various categories and sizes. These are cozy single and double rooms, equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay.
Each room has a shower room and a bathroom with good plumbing. Furniture and appliances are modern. There is free wireless internet. Cleaning and change of linen is carried out regularly.
From the windows of the hotela wonderful view opens up: on the one hand, on the Western Dvina, on the other, on the Holy Intercession Church.
For an additional nominal fee, you can use an iron and an electric kettle. The hotel is non-smoking.
You can have lunch and a snack at the Volna cafe at the sports complex. Nearby there are restaurants and nightclubs. The warm atmosphere and friendly attitude of the staff of the hotel "Parus" will please the guests of the city.
