Slonim

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Slonim (Belarusian: Сло́нім) is a city in Belarus in the Hrodna voblast and Slonim rayon, located at the junction of the Shchara and Isa rivers, 143 km southeast of Hrodna. The population in 1995 was 53,100.

Contents

[edit] Geography & Climate

[edit] History

[edit] Early history

The earliest record is of a wooden fort on the left bank of the Shchara river in the 11th century, although there may have been earlier settlement.

[edit] Lithuanian and Polish rule

The Slonim area was disputed between the Lithuanians and the Kievan Rus' and it changed hands several times. In 1040, the Kievans won control of the area after a battle but lost Slonim to the Lithuanians in 1103. The Russians retook the area early in the 13th century but were expelled by a Tartar invasion in 1241 and the town was pillaged. When, later in the year, the Tartars withdrew, Slonim became Lithuanian again.

In 1569, Lithuania and Poland united and Slonim became an important regional centre within greater Poland. From 1631 to 1685 the city flourished as the seat of the Lithuanian diet.

[edit] Russian rule

The Commonwealth of Poland-Lithuania was dismembered in a series of three "partitions" in the latter half of the 18th Century and divided among its neighbours, Germany, Austria and Russia, which took the largest portion of territory. Slonim was in the area annexed by Russia. The wars had damaged Slonim, but in the 18th century, a local landowner, Graf Oginski, encouraged the recovery of the area]; a canal was dug to connect the Shchara with the [[Dnieper].

[edit] 20th century

Slonim, Paradna Street
Slonim, Paradna Street

Russian control lasted until 1915, when the German army captured the town. After the war, the Slonim area was disputed between the Red Army and the new state of Poland. The town suffered badly, but in 1920 the Poles established possession.

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union resulted, in 1939, in the invasion of Poland by the two powers and its division between them. Slonim was in the area designated by the Part to fall within the Soviet sphere of influence. The Soviets placed that area within the Byelorussian SSR.

Two years later, Germany invaded (Operation Barbarossa) and Slonim was captured. Soon after, 70% of Slonim's Jews had been killed[1] in at least one Nazi aktion (9,000 on 14 November 1941[2]). A second mass murder of 8,000 Jews took place in 1942[3].

After the ejection of the Germans in 1944, the Soviet Union retained possession of its part of the former Poland, as agreed between the allies.

[edit] Recent developments

After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Belarus became an independent state.

[edit] Etymology and historical names

Unsurprisingly for a town with its history, Slonim has been known by several versions of its name: Сло́нім (Belarusian), Сло́ним (Russian), Słonim (Polish).

Slonim was first mentioned in chronicles in 1252 as Uslonim (1255 – Vslonim).

[edit] Demographics

[edit] Population growth

Population has fluctuated, influenced by local prosperity and wars {1883, 21,110; 1897 15,893}.

[edit] Ethnic groups

[edit] Jews

Jewish settlement in Slonim appears to have started in 1388, following encouragement from the Lithuanian authorities. They were credited with the development of local commerce in the 15th century, nonetheless, they were temporarily expelled by the Lithuanian Duchy in 1503.

In the late 19th century, Slonim's Jewish population had risen to 10,000[1].

The Slonimer Hasidic dynasty came from there.

[edit] Languages

[edit] Religion

[edit] Government and administrative divisions

[edit] Districts

[edit] Microraions

[edit] Economy

Slonim's importance derives from the river, which is navigable and joins the Oginsky canal, connecting the Niemen with the Dnieper.

[edit] Industry

Slonim has varied food, consumer, and engineering industries. Corn, tar, and especially timber are exported. There is the Slonim artistic goods factory, a worsted factory and “Textilschik”, a paperboard factory, a motor- and a car repair plants, dry non-fat milk factory and meat processing plant. There are also flax preprocessing, feed mill and woodworking enterprises in the town.

[edit] Transport and infrastructure

Slonim has road links with Baranovichi, Ivatsevichi, Ruzhany, Volkovysk, Lida.

[edit] Local Transport

Buses, Taxi and Mini-buses are the only transport in Slonim.

[edit] Railway and intercity bus

Slonim is on the railway line between Baranavichy and Vaukavysk.

[edit] Education

[edit] Major universities

A medical school is sited in Slonim

[edit] Culture and religion

The two main religions in Slonim are Orthodox and Catholics

[edit] Notable buildings

[edit] Churches

St Andrew's Church
St Andrew's Church

[edit] Theatres

Slonim has a theatre.

[edit] Museums

Slonim has a museum of regional studies.

[edit] Recreation areas

There has been a new development in N/E of Slonim which is called Enka.

[edit] Telecommunication

[edit] Sport

The main sport's in Slonim are: Running, Gymnastics, Football and Ice Hockey

[edit] Sister cities

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Lichtenstein, Kalman (1998). The Ledger of Slonim. Joanne Saltman. Retrieved on 2007-09-08.
  2. ^ Gilbert, Martin (1986). The Holocaust. London: Fontana Press, p 184. ISBN 0-00-637194-9. 
  3. ^ Gilbert, Martin (1986). The Holocaust. London: Fontana Press, p 403. ISBN 0-00-637194-9. 
  4. ^ Jews of Belarus Move to Save Their Past. Joanne Saltman (1998). Retrieved on 2007-09-11.

[edit] External links

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Coordinates: 53°05′N, 25°19′E