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46-458: As of 2019 the region had a population of 1,135,731 and the lowest population-density for any region in Belarus: 30.6 p/km². Important cities within the region include Vitebsk , Orsha , Polotsk , and Novopolotsk . Vitebsk Region covers an area of 40,000 km², which is about 19.4% of the national total. It is bordered on the north by Pskov Oblast of Russia , by Smolensk Oblast of Russia on

92-526: A remarkable improvement and expansion of the city. The central stadium was reconstructed, and the Summer Amphitheatre , the railway station and other historical sites and facilities were restored, and the Ice Sports Palace along with a number of new churches and other public facilities were built, together with the construction of new residential areas. The city has one of the oldest buildings in

138-875: A report in which they stated that the geographic centre of Europe was located near Lake Sho ( Belarusian : Шо ) in the Vitebsk Region. [1] The region is known for its numerous lakes. The largest lakes of the Vitebsk Region are: Osveyskoye (2nd largest in Belarus), Lukomskoye (4th largest), Drivyaty (5th largest in Belarus and the largest of Braslav Lakes ). Other lakes are Beloye , Nescherdo , Snudy , Lisno , Ezerische , Strusto , Richi , Losvido and Lepelskoye . The region has more national parks, nature reserves, and wildlife preserves of national importance than any other region of Belarus. Braslav Lakes and Naroch National Parks and Berezinski Biosphere Reserve comprise 3,4% of

184-601: A significant Jewish population : according to Russian census of 1897 , out of the total population of 65,900, Jews constituted 34,400 (around 52%). The most famous of its Jewish natives was the painter Marc Chagall (1887-1985). In 1919, Vitebsk was proclaimed to be part of the Socialist Soviet Republic of Byelorussia (January to February 1919), but was soon transferred to the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and later to

230-501: Is a city in northern Belarus . It serves as the administrative center of Vitebsk Region and Vitebsk District , though it is administratively separated from the district. As of 2024, it has 358,395 inhabitants, making it the country's fourth-largest city . It is served by Vitebsk Vostochny Airport and Vitebsk Air Base . Vitebsk developed from a river harbor where the Vićba River (Віцьба, from which it derives its name) flows into

276-802: Is also home to the Marc Chagall Museum and the Vitebsk regional museum . Vitebsk has warm summer humid continental climate , Köppen : Dfb . Summers are generally warm, while winters are relatively cold but still warmer than in Moscow due to a stronger influence of maritime air from the Baltic Sea . Approximately 724 mm (28.5 in) of precipitation falls here per annum. The main universities of Vitebsk are Vitebsk State Technological University , Vitebsk State Medical University and Vitebsk State University named in honor of Pyotr Masherov . HK Vitebsk of

322-719: Is estimated at 5-6%, the major factories are "Belvest" (shoes), "Marko" (shoes; both in Vitebsk), Orsha flax factory, "Vitebsk carpets", "Znamya industrializacyi" garment factory in Vitebsk, "Bell Bimbo" (baby clothes manufacturer). The biggest electrical and machinery plants (5-6% of the regional industrial output) are "Vityas" in Vitebsk (TV sets and household appliances), "Vistan" machine tool factory, Vitebsk factory of electrical measuring instruments, Vitebsk factory of tractor spare parts, "Red fighter" machine tool factory in Orsha. Lukoml power station

368-513: Is the biggest power plant in Belarus. Vitebsk Region has a number of important transport connections with Russia, Ukraine , the Baltic countries, and Poland . The number of travel agencies in Vitebsk Region has been growing from 25 in 2000 to 83 in 2010; most agencies provide both agent and operator services. The numerous lake resorts attract tourists for several-night stays. Polotsk and Vitebsk are

414-530: The Belarusian Extraleague is the local professional hockey team. Vitebsk is twinned with: The city was previously twinned with: In 1928, the American composer Aaron Copland composed the piano trio Vitebsk: Study on a Jewish Theme , and the work was premiered in 1929. Based on a Jewish folk song from S. Ansky 's play The Dybbuk , Copland's piece is named for Vitebsk Governorate , where Ansky

460-514: The Golden Horde . But in 1240, it became a vassal of the Lithuanian princes. The Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytenis annexed the city by military force in 1307, completing the process which the Lithuanian princes had begun in the 1250s. Polotsk received a charter of autonomy guaranteeing that the grand dukes "will not introduce new, nor destroy the old". It was the earliest to be so incorporated into

506-786: The Grand Duchy of Lithuania . By doing so, the Lithuanians managed to firmly grasp the Dvina trade route in their hands, securing an important element for the surrounding economies. Magdeburg law was adopted in 1498. Polotsk functioned as a capital of the Połock Voivodship of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1772. Captured by the Russian army of Ivan the Terrible in 1563, it

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552-651: The Polish–Soviet War . and by Nazi Germany between 16 July 1941 and 4 July 1944 during World War II . In August 1944, there were serious considerations to transfer Polotsk and its surrounding areas (18,000 square kilometers) with ~400,000 people from the Byelorussian SSR to the Russian SFSR , however Joseph Stalin , persuaded by Panteleimon Ponomarenko , eventually rejected to approve the already prepared transferring documents and subsequently Polotsk functioned as

598-683: The Polota river, which flows into the neighboring Western Dvina . The Vikings rendered that name as Palteskja . Polotsk is one of the earliest mentioned cities of the Eastern Slavs . The Primary Chronicle mentioned Polotsk in the year 862 (as Полотескъ, /poloteskŭ/), together with Murom and Belozersk . However, an archaeological expedition from the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus suggests that Polotsk existed in

644-448: The episcopal see and the controller of vassal territories among Balts in the west. Its most powerful ruler was Prince Vseslav of Polotsk , who reigned from 1044 to 1101. A 12th-century inscription commissioned by Vseslav's son Boris may still be seen on a huge boulder installed near St. Sophia Cathedral. During the Mongol invasion , Polotsk avoided being invaded or paying tribute to

690-621: The Academy's library of 40,000–60,000 volumes, the richest collection of 16th- to 18th-century books — the books went to St. Petersburg, Kiev and other cities, 4000 volumes (along with books from other closed Jesuit schools) going to the St. Petersburg State University Scientific Library. Polotsk came under occupation by the German Empire between 25 February 1918 and 21 November 1918 during World War I , by Poland between 22 September 1919 and 14 May 1920 in

736-553: The Greeks . By the end of the 12th century, Vitebsk became a center of trade and commerce, and the center of an independent principality , following the Polotsk, and at times, the Smolensk and Kiev princes. The official year of the founding of Vitebsk is 974, based on an anachronistic legend of founding by Olga of Kiev , but the first mention in historical records dates from 1021, when Yaroslav

782-716: The Minsk Region, less than 750 — from each of the other regions. As of 2018, 53.7% of the region's population were female, 46.3% were male (averages in Belarus — 53.4% and 46.6% respectively). Share of urban population in the region is increasing continuously since 1950 (21.5% in 1950, 77.4% in 2018). People from Vitebsk Region: 55°20′N 29°00′E  /  55.333°N 29.000°E  / 55.333; 29.000 Vitebsk Vitebsk or Vitsyebsk ( Belarusian : Віцебск , romanized :  Vitsyebsk , IPA: [ˈvʲitsʲepsk] ; Russian : Витебск , IPA: [ˈvʲitʲɪpsk] ; Yiddish : וויטעבסק )

828-544: The Neo-Romanesque Roman Catholic cathedral (1884–85); and an obelisk commemorating the centenary of the Russian victory over Napoleon. Vitebsk is also home to a lattice steel TV tower carrying a horizontal cross on which the antenna mast is guyed. This tower, which is nearly identical to that at Grodno , but a few metres shorter (245 metres in Vitebsk versus 254 metres at Grodno) was completed in 1983. The city

874-570: The Polish king Stefan Batory , with the Jesuit Piotr Skarga (1536–1612) as its first rector) into the Połock Academy (1812–1820), with three faculties (Theology, Languages and Liberal Arts), four libraries, a printing house, a bookshop, a theatre with 3 stages, a science museum, an art gallery and a scientific and literary periodical, and a medical-care centre. The school was also the patron of

920-622: The Russian Empire, the historic centre of Vitebsk was rebuilt in the Neoclassical style . The Battle of Vitebsk was fought west of the city on 26–27 July 1812 as Napoleon attempted to engage decisively with the Russian army. While the French were to occupy the town for over three months (the emperor celebrating his 43rd birthday there) the Russian army was able to slip away with minimal losses towards Smolensk . Before World War II , Vitebsk had

966-682: The Society of Jesus (1773–1814), the Jesuit branches in these lands were not disbanded, and Połock became the European centre of the Order , with a novitiate opening in 1780, and with the arrival of distinguished Jesuits from other parts of Europe who brought with them valuable books and scientific collections. Jesuits continued their pastoral work and upgraded the Jesuit College in Polotsk (opened in 1580 by decree of

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1012-623: The Soviet Union, thus saving themselves from the impending Holocaust . Much of the old city was destroyed in the ensuing battles between the Germans and Red Army soldiers. Most of the remaining local Jews perished in the Vitebsk Ghetto massacre of October 1941. The Germans also operated a Nazi prison, the Stalag 313 prisoner-of-war camp and forced labour camps in the city. The Soviets recaptured

1058-559: The Wise of Kiev gave it to Bryachislav Izyaslavich , Prince of Polotsk . In the 12th and 13th centuries, Vitebsk functioned as the capital of the Principality of Vitebsk , an appanage principality which thrived at the crossroads of the river routes between the Baltic and Black seas. In 1320 the city was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania as dowry of the Princess Maria,

1104-442: The birth rate was 9.6 and the death rate was 14.4. Rasony District , Shumilina District , Verkhnyadzvinsk District had the highest birth rates (over 11), while the city of Navapolatsk (Novopolotsk) , Beshankovichy District , Haradok District had the lowests birth rates (less than 9). 16.1% of the population were under working age, 56.6% in working age, 27.3% over working age (averages in Belarus — 17.7%, 57.2%, 25.1%). In 2017,

1150-622: The center of Polotsk Region between 20 September 1944 and 8 January 1954. A reorganisation of the area between Vitebsk and Molodechno Regions left Polotsk part of the former. The city's Saint Sophia Cathedral (1044–1066) was a symbol of the independent-mindedness of Polotsk, rivaling churches of the same name in Novgorod and Kyiv . The name referred to the original Hagia Sophia in Constantinople , and thus claims imperial prestige, authority and sovereignty. The cathedral had been ruined by

1196-499: The city during the June 1944 Vitebsk–Orsha Offensive , as part of Operation Bagration . In the first postwar five-year period the city was rebuilt. Its industrial complex covered machinery, light industry, and machine tools. In 1959, a TV tower was commissioned and started broadcasting the 1st Central Television program . In 1990, a club of voters " For Democratic Elections " was founded in Vitebsk. In January 1991, Vitebsk celebrated

1242-932: The college in Petersburg, the mission to Saratov and an expedition to Canton. During the French invasion of Russia the district saw two battles, the First Battle of Polotsk (August 1812) and the Second Battle of Polotsk (October 1812). In 1820, pressure from the Russian Orthodox Church influenced the Russian Emperor Alexander I to exile the Jesuits and to close the Polock Academy, there were 700 students studying there. The Russian authorities also broke up

1288-521: The conclusion, based on the chronicles, that Princess Olga of Kiev could have established Vitebsk in 947. Leonid Alekseyev suggested that the chroniclers, when transferring the date from the account of the Byzantine era (since the creation of the world) to a new era, obtained the year 947, later mistakenly written in copying manuscripts as 974. It was an important place on the trade route from the Varangians to

1334-631: The country: the Annunciation Church . The building dates back to the period of Kievan Rus . The city at the time was pagan and did not belong to the Ukrainian or Russian Orthodox Church or the Kievan Rus state. It was constructed in the 1140s as a pagan church, rebuilt in the 14th and 17th centuries as a Roman Catholic Church , restored in 1883 and destroyed by the Soviet administration in 1961. The church

1380-543: The east, on the south by Minsk Region and by Mogilev Region , on the southwest by Minsk Region and Grodno Region , and on the west and northwest by Vilnius and Utena counties of Lithuania and Augšdaugava , Krāslava and Ludza municipalities of Latvia . The northern extreme point of Belarus is situated in Verkhnyadzvinsk District of Vitebsk Region, north of Lake Osveya . In 2000 Belarusian scientists Alexey Solomonov and Valery Anoshko published

1426-408: The eldest of them, Izyaslav , became Prince of Polotsk (ruled 989–1001). Between the 10th and 12th centuries, the Principality of Polotsk emerged as the dominant center of power in what is now Belarusian territory, with a lesser role played by the Principality of Turov to the south. It repeatedly asserted its sovereignty in relation to other centers of Kievan Rus' , becoming a political capital,

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1472-431: The first Marc Chagall Festival. In June 1992, a monument to Chagall was erected on his native Pokrovskaja Street and a memorial inscription was placed on the wall of his house. Since 1992, Vitebsk has been hosting the annual Slavianski Bazaar , an international music festival. The main participants are artists from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, with guests from many other countries, both Slavic and non-Slavic. There has been

1518-411: The first half of the 9th century. The first known prince of Polotsk was Rogvolod (ruled 945–978). He had two sons and a daughter named Rogneda . Rogvolod promised Rogneda to the prince of Kiev , Yaropolk , as a wife. But Yaropolk's brother, Vladimir , had attacked Polotsk before Yaropolk came. He killed Rogvolod, his wife and sons, and married Rogneda. Vladimir and Rogneda had five children and

1564-528: The first wife of Grand Duke of Lithuania Algirdas . By 1351 the city had erected a stone Upper and Lower Castle, the prince's palace. In 1410 Vitebsk participated in the Battle of Grunwald . From 1503 it was the capital of the Vitebsk Voivodeship . In 1569 it became part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth . In 1597 Vitebsk was granted Magdeburg rights and a coat of arms by Sigismund III Vasa . However,

1610-700: The larger Western Dvina , which is spanned in the city by the Kirov Bridge . Archaeological research indicates that Baltic tribes had settlements at the mouth of Vitba. In the 9th century, Slavic settlements of the tribal union of the Krivichs replaced them. According to the Chronicle of Michael Brigandine (1760), Princess Olga of Kiev founded Vitebsk (also recorded as Dbesk, Vidbesk, Videbsk, Vitepesk, or Vicibesk) in 974. Other versions give 947 or 914. Academician Boris Rybakov and historian Leonid Alekseyev have come to

1656-401: The most popular cultural tourism destinations of the region. The Vitebsk Region is subdivided into 21 districts , 2 cities of oblast subordinance, 19 additional cities, 249 selsovets , and 26 urban-type settlements . Population of cities and towns in Vitebsk Region according to 2023 estimates: As of 2008, the birth rate was 9.7 per 1000, while the death rate was 15.5 per 1000. As of 2017,

1702-612: The region had negative net migration rates for both internal and international migrations (-2,102 and -63 respectively). 5,227 of those who departed from the region in 2017 arrived in Minsk , 2,021 in the Minsk Region , 1,630 in the Mahilioŭ (Mogilev) Region , less than 700 — in each of the other regions. 3,858 people arrived in the region from Minsk, 1,731 from the Mahilioŭ (Mogilev) Region, 1,355 from

1748-625: The rights were taken away in 1623 after the citizens revolted against the imposed Union of Brest and killed Archbishop Josaphat Kuntsevych of Polotsk. In 1641 Władysław IV Vasa restored Magdeburg rights. The city was almost completely destroyed by the Russians in 1708, during the Great Northern War . In the First Partition of Poland in 1772, the Russian Empire annexed Vitebsk. Under

1794-481: The short-lived Lithuanian–Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (February to July 1919). In 1924 it was returned to the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic . During World War II , the city came under Nazi German occupation (11 July 1941 – 26 June 1944). During Operation Barbarossa , 22,000 Jews, or 58% of Vitebsk's Jewish population, managed to successfully evacuate to the interior of

1840-467: The troops of Peter I of Russia . Hence the present baroque building by Johann Christoph Glaubitz dates from the mid-18th century. Some genuine 12th-century architecture (notably Transfiguration Church ) survives in the Convent of Saint Euphrosyne, which also features a neo-Byzantine cathedral , designed and built in 1893—1899 by Vladimir Korshikov . Cultural achievements of the medieval period include

1886-471: The whole region's territory, and 22 wildlife preserves of national importance make up 4,1% of the region. The main industry of the region is petrochemical. " Naftan " ( Navapolatsk ) is one of the biggest oil refineries in Belarus and a major polymer manufacturer, "LLK-Naftan" (Navapolatsk) produces oil additives . Share of the food industry in the regional industrial output is estimated at 14-15%. Share of textile, garment and shoe factories ( light industry )

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1932-432: The work of the nun Euphrosyne of Polotsk (1120–1173), who built monasteries, transcribed books, promoted literacy and sponsored art (including local artisan Lazarus Bohsha's famous " Cross of Saint Euphrosyne ," a national symbol and treasure lost during World War II ), and the prolific, original Church Slavonic sermons and writings of Bishop Cyril of Turaw (1130–1182). The first Belarusian printer, Francysk Skaryna ,

1978-514: Was born in Polotsk around 1490. He is famous for being the first to print the Bible in the Old Belarusian language (East Slavic language) in 1517, several decades after the first-ever printed book by Johann Gutenberg and just several years after the first Czech Bible (1506). In September 2003, as " Days of Belarusian Literacy " were celebrated for the 10th time in Polotsk, city authorities dedicated

2024-584: Was born, and where he first heard the tune. Polotsk Polotsk ( Russian : Полоцк ) or Polatsk ( Belarusian : Полацк , romanized :  Polack ) is a town in Vitebsk Region , Belarus . It is situated on the Dvina River and serves as the administrative center of Polotsk District . Polotsk is served by Polotsk Airport and Borovitsy air base. As of 2024, it has a population of 79,579. The Old East Slavic name, Polotesk , derives from

2070-430: Was in ruins until 1992, when it was restored to its presumed original appearance. Churches from the Polish-Lithuanian period were likewise destroyed, although the Resurrection Church (1772–77) has been rebuilt. The Orthodox cathedral, dedicated to the Intercession of the Theotokos , was erected in 1760. There are also the town hall (1775); the Russian governor's palace, where Napoleon celebrated his 43rd birthday in 1812;

2116-423: Was returned to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania just 15 years later. It was again captured by Russia on 17 June 1654, but recaptured by Poland–Lithuania on 30 October 1660 during the Russo-Polish War (1654–67) . In 1772, Russia seized Polotsk (then Połock) as part of the First Partition of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth . Since the Russian Empress Catherine II did not acknowledge the Papal suppression of

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