The rout: Minsk – Polack – Biarezinski national park – Minsk.

Length: 500 km.

Duration: 11 hours.

Already for 11 centuries the oldest city of Belarus has been staying at the confluence of the Dvina and the Palata. It was the capital of mighty duchy of Polotsk, the center of voivodship and for some time in XX century the center of the region during its long history. Euphrosyne of Polatsk and Francysk Skaryna, Usiaslaŭ Čaradziej and Stephen Báthory walked along the streets of Polack. Castles, churches and cathedrals were built here…

Unfortunately very little has remained from the former rich architecture till nowadays. However these few monuments that have remained are enough for interesting and informative excursion. By the way it is hard not to notice the efforts of local people to enliven the history of their city. More than 10 museums function in Polack and every year new monuments are built on the streets.

The history of every city begins with the ancient settlement. In Polack it is seen from afar. On the high hill near the bank of the Western Dvina towers mighty church of St. Sofia that was built by Vseslav the Sorcerer in XI century. The church was rebuilt in baroque style in XVIII century by basilian monks. The museum where possible to know all the long history of this place is now situated inside the church.

After the museum we offer you a little stroll along the city streets. When you look attentively you will see among the modern buildings of XX century interesting reminders of peculiar self-government of the city in the middle ages, Jesuit monks and their academy and echoes of war with Ivan Grozny. You will also find the center of Europe and the monument dedicated to one of the letters of Belarusian alphabet.

But you’d better not forget about the museums. It is worth visiting one more of them. We offer you the museum of book printing with substantial and interesting exposition about the history of the book from ancient Egyptians till Francysk Skaryna and Symon Bydny. Or the museum of weaving that is also very tasteful and informative.

In the end of our tour we will for sure visit the Ephrosinya Saviour Monastery. This ancient cloister was founded by St. Euphrosyne herself in the far XII century. Here the relics of the Saint, her fetters and the copy of the cross that was made according to her order are kept. Visiting this monastery you take a chance to touch the depth of Belarusian history and to feel and become full of piece and quite of this place.

On our way back home we may visit Berezinski national park and see the open-air cages of animals