Zaslawye

Zaslawye
Заслаўе (Belarusian)
Заславль (Russian)

Zaslaŭje

Church of the Saviour's Transfiguration
(35 meters (115 ft) high)

Coat of arms
Zaslawye

Location of Zaslawye in Belarus

Coordinates: 54°00′30″N 27°17′05″E / 54.00833°N 27.28472°E / 54.00833; 27.28472Coordinates: 54°00′30″N 27°17′05″E / 54.00833°N 27.28472°E / 54.00833; 27.28472
Country
Voblast
Raion
 Belarus
Minsk Voblast
Minsk Raion
Founded 985
Area
  Total 14.2 km2 (5.5 sq mi)
Elevation 211 m (692 ft)
Population (2009)
  Total 14,400
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 223034, 223036
License plate 5

Zaslawye or Zaslaŭje (Belarusian: Засла́ўе, [zaˈsɫau̯je]; Russian: Заславль; Polish: Zasław) is a historic town in Minsk Province of Belarus, 20 kilometres northwest of Minsk. In 2009 its population was 14,400.[1]

History

According to chronicles, Zaslawye was founded in 985 by Vladimir the Great who sent his wife Rogneda to live here with their son Izyaslav of Polotsk, the founder of the princely house of Polatsk. The town's current name derives from Izyaslav's name.

In the early Middle Age the town was centre of the Duchy of Zaslawye. In the 11th century, the town was heavily fortified; much of its territory has been designated an archaeological reservation. There is also a modern outdoor statue of Rogneda and Izyaslav on the grounds.

During the period of Reformation, the town was a nest for followers of Calvinism and Socinianism.

Geography

Situated in north-western suburb of Minsk, is part of its urban area and one of its main towns also with Fanipol and Machulishi. Considering that the Belarusian capital, seat of Minsk Raion, is administratively separated from it, Zaslawye is the most populated settlement of the proper raion.

Sites

All historical attractions of Zaslaŭje are situated in the downtown not far from the Belarus Railway Station. The most interesting of them are the Zamechek (Castle) archaeological site of the Zaslaŭje town of the 10 – 12th centuries, the Val Site that includes town ramparts and the fortified Savior Transfiguration Church (primary Calvinist church which was built from 1577 onward and is still in fair preservation), the Phara St Mary Church of the 18th century, a small skansen of a traditional wooden tavern, smithy, storehouse and steam mill.

Notable residents

References

  1. (Russian) 2009 statistics of Belarus (Belstat)

External links

Media related to Zaslawye at Wikimedia Commons

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