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Polotsk

Сoat of Arms of Polotsk depicts a three-masted ship floating on the silver waves. The appearance of a merchant ship is justified by the fact that Polotsk is located on the banks of the Western Dvina River which was a major trade route from the “Varangians' to the Greeks”. The ship with its high sails symbolizes a high and slender St. Sophia cathedral of Polotsk that since the 12^th century has been flowing into the eternity.

Polotsk on old photograph, 16th century 

 About Polotsk:

Polotsk – an administrative city of the Polotsk district in the Vitebsk region.  The population is 85 078 people (as of 1 January 2016). Wikipedia

Polotsk - “Mother of Belarusian Cities” was built on a very important trade route from the” Varangians to the Greeks” at the confluence of the river Polota with the Western Dvina River. It is believed that the name of the city originates from the small river Polota. The first annalistic mention of Polotsk refers to 862, thus, Polotsk is the oldest city of Belarus and together with Kiev and Novgorod it is rated as the most ancient one in the Slavic lands. In the 10^thcentury Polotsk was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Polotsk. The first known prince of Polotsk was Rogvolod. He strengthened borders of the Duchy, established management and political system. By the year of 992 Polotsk diocese was founded. Kiev Prince Vladimir (later Saint Vladimir), asked Rogvolod for the hand of his daughter, Rogneda, a real beauty, but was refused. In outrage, Vladimir and his uncle Dobrynya stormed Polotsk, killed Rogvolod and his two sons and his captivated daughter was forced to become the wife of the prince. One day, the offended princess decided to take revenge on Vladimir. When once the prince had fallen asleep beside her, she tried to kill him with a knife. But Vladimir woke up and grabbed her arm. Vladimir ordered Rogneda to put on a wedding dress and prepare for the penalty. When he came to Rogneda to execute her, his eldest son Izyaslav with a sword in his child's hand took a step towards him.  This act stopped and confused Vladimir. Having spoken with the dukes, he then decided to send Rogneda with his son in the principality of Polotsk and commanded a new city to be built for them, which was named in honor of his son Izyaslavl (now the town of Zaslavl). Since then, the descendants of  a proud Rogneda occupied a special place among the descendants of St. Vladimir and Yaroslav the Wise. Owning Polotsk and Minsk, they considered themselves to be beyond the control of Kiev. Izyaslav, son of Saint Vladimir and Rogneda was on the throne of Polotsk  only for two years. Izyaslav had two sons: Vseslav and Bryacheslav. In 1003-1044 Bryacheslav ruled in the Principality. He greatly expanded the territory of the state, adjoining the city of Usvyat and Vitebsk, as well as the land between the Western Dvina and Disney, where he founded the city of Bryachislav (now Braslav) among numerous picturesque lakes. The Great Duchy of Polotsk reached the highest level of its development under Vseslav Uzyaslavovch, nicked the "Sorcerer" for his strength and power. He had been on the throne since 1044 to 1101. He transferred the city from the Polota River and built a new center on the right bank of the Western Dvina. He built a new well-fortified fortress on the hill which started to be called the Upper castle. The castle was protected from three sides by the rivers and from the fourth with the moat. On his order a miracle of Polotsk St. Sofia Cathedral was built in 1065 to imitate St. Sofia in Constantinople, Kiev and Novgorod. The construction of the St. Sophia cathedral put Polotsk into the same rank with such fampous cities as Kiev and Novgorod. Handicrafts developed fast and the trade was flouring. Polotsk imported fur, wax and items of handicrafts to many West European counties and imported salt, metal, wine, jewelry and etc. In the 12^th century a granddaughter of Vseslav the "Sorcerer" Ephrosinya, founded a convent and a monastery in Polotsk that became the centers of education. She copied books and enriched the Library of St. Sophia cathedral and conducted Polotsk chronicles. By her order a unique masterpiece of the ancient arts and crafts – a unique cross was created by a goldsmith Lazar Boksha was created.

Tourist Attraction No.1 in Polotsk: St.Savior Ephrosinya Russian Orthodox Convent

No tour to Polotsk is complete without a visit to  the St.Savior Ephrosiniya Convent which includes several churches. The creative activity of Polotsk architects was brilliantly realized in the 12th century church of St. Savior, the most valuable one in the whole of Belarus. The interior of the church is decorated with unique 12th century frescoes depicting saints with books in their hands, the image of a praying saint at the background of a tall tower. The central part has a fresco depicting nuns and saints in full size with scrolls in their hands. Worth visiting is the 19th century Orthodox Cathedral to observe miracle-working relics of St. Savior Ephrosinya. She was born in a well-to-do family in Polotsk in 1105 and was distinguished by extraordinary beauty and clever mind. However, she chose the fate to serve Our Lord and her native Belarus. Her relics have been kept in natural conditions in a remarkable way for more than 900 years. They are put in  a silver shrine made by our contemporary master – a jeweler Petr Kuzmich from Brest. Many of those who suffered from some pain used to come here to receive a blessing and thus recovered. Just think is there anything you are longing for.

• Adress: 89, St.Ephrosinya of Polotsk Street, 211400, Polotsk, Vitebsk region, Republic of Belarus
• Telephone: 8 0214 42 70 99
• Visit website:http://spas-monastery.by/

Other sights of  Polotsk and Polotsk district can be found in the section of the website "Excursions and museums"

Interesting facts about Polotsk and Polotsk district:

• Polotsk has a sputnik town Novopolotsk (New Polotsk), situated just a few kilometers. Its population is almost 100, 000 residents. It emerged in the 1960-s in connection with the construction of the largest industrial complex in Belarus. Its main enterprise is JSC “Naftan” Oil Refinery, the largest in Europe. It specializes in processing crude oil, production of petroleum products, chemicals, and synthetic fibers. Novopolotsk plays a crucial role in the Belarusian export.
• The unique boulder stone – monument of the 12th century epigraph can be found in front of St.Sophiya cathedral. Its height is eight meters and in the center there is a six-pointed cross with the diameter over one meter and a half. The inscription under the cross says”: O, Lord, help your servant Boris”. It is called “Boris” stone.