Vaŭkavysk

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Vaŭkavysk (Belarusian: Ваўкавыск, Russian: Волковыск, Volkovysk, Polish: Wołkowysk) is a town in the Hrodna Province of Belarus. It is the center of Vaŭkavysk district. The population is near 48,000.

Volkovysk is an old town with more then milennial history. The first mention of Volkovysk in Turovskoj annals is dated 1005. In those days Volkovysk represented city-fortress on border of residing baltskogo and the slavic population. Since 12 centuries - Volkovysk - the center of a small princedom. In Ipatevskoj annals the mention of city concerns to 1252.

In 1277 of an army of Russian princes Mstislava Daniilovicha, Vladimir Vasilkovicha and Jury Lvovicha during a campaign against the Lithuanian princes stopped the army on a lodging for the night under Volkovysk. Last time Volkovysk is mentioned in the annals in 1289 when the Lithuanian prince Budikid and its brother Budivid for maintenance of peace attitudes have transferred Volkovysk to prince Mstislav.

In 1410 city have grasped and Teutonic knights have burnt. Horugva of Volkovysk participated in Grjunvald fight of 1410. In 1503 the city has acquired the Magdebourg right.

The archeological excavations lead on a place of ancient city, testify that already in end X of a century here there was a slavic settlement. Acknowledgement of it are the rests of dwellings and the defensive works which have been found out during excavation.

Volkovysk archeologic complex includes three heights: "the Swedish mountain" (picture), Zamchishche and Muravelnik. "The Swedish mountain" is located on southeast surburb of modern Volkovysk. There is a legend that "the Swedish mountain" during war was filled by the Swedish soldiers above a tomb of the commander. It is the highest point among associates Volkovysk of hills a moraine of a ridge.

Height of "the Swedish mountain" from a sole up to top of a shaft vary within the limits of from 28 up to 32,5 meters. In the basis the mountain has the round form. Length of a circle of the basis - about 350 meters. A platform of "the Swedish mountain" almost round. Its sizes: from the West on the east - 55 meters. On perimeter the platform is surrounded by the powerful defensive shaft interrupting from the southern party by entrance.

The beginning of archeologic studying of Volkovysk was necessary in 1925 director of the Grodno history-archeologic museum of J.Edkovski.

Other local sights include the Roman Catholic church of St. Vaclaw (1846-48, picture) and the Peter Bagration Museum (picture). The more prominent noble families of Vaŭkavysk included the Gołgowski and the Piotrowicz.