The city of Braslav is one of the most ancient in Belarus. Travelers interested in history and the cultural heritage of their ancestors will find a huge number of interesting places here. The sights of Braslav attract with their unique architecture, elegant beauty of monuments and the awe with which they treat everything around them local residents.

The origin of the Castle Hill fort dates back to 1065. Prince of Polotsk Bryachislav Izyaslavovich erected a fortress on this site, which served as a guard during enemy attacks. Fishing gear, battle axes, spindle whorls, iron writings, and powder flasks found on the site of the ancient city gave a vivid idea of ​​the life of people many centuries ago.

Within state program The buildings and fragments of the castle are being reconstructed. The forest lake Drevyaty is located nearby.

If you don’t know what to see in Braslav, be sure to go on an excursion to Castle Hill, where the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is located. Previously, there was a Catholic church on this site, which was destroyed during a strong fire. The church was reconstructed several times. The neo-Norman style, which was taken as the basis for the construction of the attraction, combined the mosaic technique of laying a stone facade, a three-tier bell tower and a gable roof. The interior is decorated with icons, among which the icon of the Mother of God of Braslav especially stands out.

At the church there is a monastic monastery, which is more than 60 years old. Since 2000, pilgrims from all over the country have been welcomed here.

An unusual building, shaped like an ark, can be found not far from the church. Every year in this place in August the coronation of the Mother of God takes place. At this time, the number of parishioners reaches more than a thousand people. A wide stone staircase leads to the ark. When darkness falls, the lighting of the crucifix is ​​turned on.

Braslav is a small town in the Vitebsk region of Belarus, the administrative center of the Braslav district. The main architectural landmark of the city of Braslav is the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, built here in 1824. Later in 1897, the church in the city of Braslav was expanded, very significantly rebuilt in the neo-Romanesque style and became the way it can be seen today. It was the new building of this church that was consecrated in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. In 1950, the church was closed by the Soviet authorities and converted into a granary, but already in 1953, believers were able to achieve the return of the church to the parish. However, services in the temple resumed only in 1967, after a thorough repair and restoration of the Braslav church. Since then, the temple has never been closed again and has gone through several more stages of restoration work. As a result, today the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in the city of Braslav is a functioning church that is in excellent condition.

The church in the city of Braslav is built of natural stone and unplastered brick. An interesting architectural feature of the temple is that the space between the large stones is filled not just with lime mortar, but is lined with small fragments of stones that form various patterns. Externally, the result resembles a mosaic. This element of church decor is now called “Braslav mosaic”. Moreover, this technique was implemented differently on those parts of the temple walls that were erected in 1824 and in 1897. Therefore, even in our time, the border between the old and new parts of the church in the city of Braslav is clearly visible.

In the church in the city of Braslav there is a functioning organ, which is considered one of the best in the entire region. This organ was created at the beginning of the 20th century in Krakow. The sound of the organ and the acoustics of the temple itself leave an unforgettable impression, and local residents are rightfully proud of this musical instrument. However, the main feature of the church in Braslav is that the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Braslav, widely revered by Christians of various denominations, is kept here.

The Mother of God of Braslav is also considered the patroness of the famous Braslav lakes and the entire Braslav region, and for this reason the miraculous image is also known as the “Icon of the Mother of God Queen of Lakes”. Another name for this icon, which is least common, is “Icon of the Mother of God of the Monastery.” This name is connected with the fact that until the beginning of the 19th century this icon was kept in a Uniate monastery located on an island formed on one of the local lakes. However, in 1832 there was a fire in the monastery. All the monastery buildings were completely burned down, only the icon survived. After this, the icon of the Mother of God was transferred to the church in the city of Braslav. Nowadays, the icon is located in a central place in the main wooden altar of the temple. By the way, this altar was created in 1974.

The church and icon in Braslav have been attracting many travelers and pilgrims to these places for several centuries. However, at the beginning of the 21st century, on the basis of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in the city of Braslav, a regional sanctuary was additionally formed. In addition, in 2009, the icon of the Mother of God of Braslav was crowned with papal crowns. The Braslav icon became the first crowned icon in the Vitebsk region and the seventh in Belarus. These events emphasized the special status of the church and icon for Belarusian Catholics and provoked an additional flow of tourists and pilgrims from different countries to the city of Braslav. Thus, the church in the city of Braslav is undoubtedly a valuable architectural, historical and cultural monument of the 19th century, as well as an important landmark of Belarus. Well, the icon of the Mother of God Queen of the Lakes is an important historical and cultural value and a religious relic.

There are many other attractions in the city of Braslav. First of all, let us note the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This temple was built in 1897 and is an architectural monument of the retrospective Russian style of the late 19th century. The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the city of Braslav was not closed during Soviet times. Currently, the church continues to function and is in good condition. The church houses several unique icons from the 18th and 19th centuries. Presumably they were painted by local artists, and these icons were transferred to the Braslav temple from a church in the village of Druya, which was closed during Soviet times. Another decoration of the church in the city of Braslav is a wooden carved three-tiered iconostasis, created in the 1980s.

The church in Braslav is located very close to the church. The small square between these temples was once the central (market) square of the entire city. There is now parking at this site. Together, the Braslav churches form a very interesting, beautiful, and most importantly, typical for Belarus (but unique for other regions) architectural ensemble of the historical center of a small town. Of course, the church in the city of Braslav is a historical and cultural value and an interesting landmark of Belarus.

Next attraction worthy of attention tourists, travelers and pilgrims is the St. Panteleimon Convent, which was formed in the city of Braslav in 2006 as a structural subdivision of the Polotsk Spaso-Euphrosinievsky Convent. This monastery is located in the building of the former zemstvo hospital, which was built in 1906.

In the city of Braslav there are also quite a lot of other buildings that can be classified as historical urban buildings. Most of these buildings date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of these buildings are made in the so-called Zakopane style, which makes them unique and valuable. All these small attractions perfectly complement the very good tourist atmosphere of the city of Braslav; you can happily spend a lot of time here.

Another very important cultural, historical and archaeological monument of the city of Braslav is Castle Hill, or, in other words, a fortified settlement. This fort dates back to the 9th century. Castle Hill is located in the historical center of Braslav, directly opposite the church and church, which in turn are located at the foot of this mountain. The castle hill in Braslav is a flat hill of impressive size with steep slopes, and is one of the largest castles in Belarus.

It is the Castle Hill, towering above the entire settlement, and the two temples, which also stand out against the background of the low-rise buildings of the city, that form the panorama of the entire Braslav. The last fragments of any historical buildings previously located on Castle Hill were completely lost during the fire of 1859, when the settlement acquired close to modern look. Nowadays, several modern monuments, thematic sculptures and gazebos have been installed on the mountain. However, a visit to Castle Hill is included in the mandatory tourist program of all travelers arriving in the city of Braslav, because it is from here that the the best views to stunning surrounding landscapes filled with blue lakes.

The city of Braslav is very popular among tourists. But it should be noted that it owes this not to architectural landmarks, but to the surrounding nature. The fact is that near the city of Braslav there are a lot of lakes, some of them very large. We are talking about the famous Braslav lakes. There are so many of these lakes, and they are located so densely that sometimes one gets the impression that the city of Braslav itself is located almost on an island, although in reality this is not the case. Among the lakes near Braslav there are a wide variety.

For example, the largest local lake, along the shore of which the city of Braslav is located, is called Drivyaty and has very, very flat banks and warms up well in the summer. This lake also has several sandy beaches, so Lake Drivyaty is popular among tourists as a place for a beach holiday. By the way, the proper infrastructure has been created on this lake, there are cafes and bars, boat and catamaran rentals and much more. Also, this and other lakes near the city of Braslav give tourists and travelers the opportunity to have very good fishing. In the city of Braslav itself, of course, there is all the necessary tourist infrastructure, for example: shops, banks, hotels, farmsteads and much more. It is thanks to the opportunity to have a good swim, great fishing and just a great rest among the beautiful landscapes of the lake region that most tourists come to the city of Braslav.

The picturesque surroundings began in the Sebezh region - I really wanted to return to this town. Having driven along a chain of lakes with shores overgrown with reeds, admiring entire flocks of wild swans, we drove out onto a sandy forest road that led to the border. The former customs post was empty - no barrier, no checks, just a large sign informing that “you are leaving a stage 1 swine fever zone.” This is how they speak ugly about the Fatherland...

The first more or less large settlement on our way was Novodvinsk. Already there I noticed what I later noted in Belarusian towns: cleanliness, grooming, neatness. In our provinces we often have a problem with this - next to something like this there may be some broken fence or a pile of garbage. Everything is very harmonious with them - pavement with tiles, flower beds, fences, all the houses are painted. Impressive.

There in Novodvinsk they exchanged rubles for Belarusian rubles. I felt like a millionaire: I haven’t held such a lot of money in my hands since the 90s. During the first few days in the store, I fell into confusion and simply handed the saleswoman a pile of banknotes: take as many as you need. But they are used to it there - there are a lot of tourists from Russia.

And here is our goal: the glorious city of Braslav.

Something reminded me of the Krasnodar villages: maybe the summer heat, maybe the general “resort” spirit. The city's perimeter is surrounded by four lakes, the largest of which, Drivyaty, is the local “sea”.

The best way to view Braslav is from Castle Hill.

A stone with the date of the first mention of the city and a list of "historical milestones".

Every self-respecting city should have a legend. Preferably sentimental - with love, separation and a beautiful maiden throwing herself into the waters. You can read it - and everything is clear almost word for word, if you delve into it a little.

And here are the wooden sculptures of the heroes of this story.

The main city attraction is the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, built in 1824 in the austere Romanesque style. I have always liked the combination of brick and granite in architecture.

Nearby is a summer terrace in the shape of an ark. There are benches, a raised platform for the pulpit - either for sermons in hot weather, or for some kind of youth events.

Altar with the icon of the Virgin Mary “Queen of the Lakes”.

The interior has stained glass windows and an abundance of wood carvings.

Such voluminous bas-relief icons are rare in Orthodox churches. I remember something similar in the house church of the Gatchina Palace.

The church stands on a gentle hill and is surrounded by a low stone wall. Opposite it, across the street, is the Orthodox Assumption Church.

What I noticed, both in Braslav and in other surrounding towns: Catholic churches are always in a more advantageous place - they were clearly built before the Orthodox and managed to stake out either a picturesque hill or a position closer to the center. It is immediately clear that these places were under Poland for a long time.
In addition, all the churches that we saw were open, even despite the absence of services. Orthodox Christians, not only do they usually stand somewhere on the side, in the outskirts, but also give the impression of being less well-groomed and less visited. In some, judging by the overgrown paths and dusty porch, services are clearly held only on holidays. I don’t know religious statistics for the Vitebsk region - I’m only saying what I saw myself. However, it is possible that the Catholic diocese receives help from abroad, so it can afford more.

At the entrance to the local history museum, someone lost his head.

In the museum itself, in the historical part, it was dark, like in a cave, so I filmed only on the 2nd floor, where local folk crafts are exhibited. These are mainly weaving, straw weaving and wood carving.

We later saw this cathedral in person.

Belarusian netsuke.

And this is Mount Mayak - one of the highest and best viewing points of the Braslav Upland. From a height of 174 meters above sea level, views of the surrounding forests, islands and lakes open up. There is a gazebo built at the very top of the mountain, so you can climb another three meters higher. Above the entrance to the gazebo it was written “Tsmok lives here.” We didn’t know who this was, so we didn’t pay much attention to the warning. As they explained to me later, this is a local persecution of Zmey-Gorynych, so it turns out that we were exposing ourselves to serious danger, since I forgot my treasure sword at home.

There are white spiers in the distance - this is the village of Slobodka. We'll see him more closely.

The path to Slobodka runs through a village with the gloomy name Ikazn. It seems that at one time there were much more inhabitants here, otherwise why would they build such a hefty church - more than in Braslav.

And it's true. The current population of the village is only 300 people, and in the 16th century there was a castle here, which Ivan the Terrible failed to take during the Livonian War.

In the distance, behind the apple orchard, rises the elegant bell tower of St. Nicholas Church.

And in the garden itself there are several technical rarities. As a child, next to our dacha there was a state farm “Ilyich’s Way”. So, there were a great many similar horse-drawn agricultural machinery abandoned there. It’s a pity that in the 80s everything was scrapped.

And here is Slobidka with the sugar-white Church of the Heart of Jesus.

We took a picturesque road, along gentle hills, past wide fields, to the northeast towards the town of Druya, located on the banks of the Dvina.

It would seem like a remote place, much deeper, but there is no trace of depression. There are no abandoned villages, or even ruined houses in the villages. This again is a stark contrast to our rural area.

They live everywhere, everything is well-groomed, the fields are cultivated. There are no wastelands overgrown with weeds and ruins of collective farms. Everywhere there are either mowed, plowed, or herds of cows and sheep roaming. As a last resort, storks.
So we have something to strive for.

“Uncle, did you knock out the tank?
- Ya, ya!”

And more about road signs. They are a little different from ours. A point in a triangle, it's like Exclamation point- “Other dangers”, which in Lately We hardly use it. There are artistic signs attached to it, explaining exactly what dangers may await you. The second sign - “Twisting road” is always accompanied by an exact indication of the number of upcoming twists. But I still don’t understand the meaning of the latter - “watch the road” or what?

A traveler entering Druya ​​is greeted by an old Jewish cemetery that looks like a field sown with dragon teeth.

And here is the central square of the town. From it one can quite fully imagine the degree of his provincialism.

In the middle of the square lies a large boulder - Boris's stone. It received its name from one of the local princes of the 12th century, who ordered a cross and the inscription “Boris, you’re right,” which is now almost impossible to make out, to be stamped on it. The stone was found in the river and when it was taken out from there with the help of heavy equipment, it was accidentally split. This is how the Tsar Bell turned out.

Several more views of the village streets.

And this is a Catholic monastery. The “ears” buttresses on the sides of the bell tower make it somewhat similar to our Peter and Paul Cathedral, only without a spire.

Beyond the Dvina is Latvia. It is not clear whose cows are swimming on the shallows in the middle of the river. One must think that in the evening they themselves will sort out their nationality and state affiliation and go where they need to go.

I hope I haven’t gotten too tired of churches yet? Then here's another one - in the village of Opsa. We are already riding southwest of Braslav.

In the surrounding area, an estate was found in a state of sluggish restoration. They say that somewhere in a nearby park there is still an oak tree to which Napoleon tied his horse.

I won’t lie - we didn’t find the famous oak tree, but we did find this cute little barn. Or maybe a glacier.

On the way, a strange thing was discovered at a small lake: I didn’t know that there were atolls in our latitudes.

So we arrived in the village of Drisvyaty.
Church.
That's it, okay, I won't do it again... :)

Lake of the same name. In the middle of it is Castle Island. Which also seems to hint at the former glory of this village.

The dark stripe on the horizon is already Lithuania. It’s somehow quite simple here with the border zones. It would be possible to sail to the European Union. However, judging by the queues of cars at gas stations, it is more economically profitable to sail here.

And in conclusion, here are a few more idyllic evening landscapes of this lake region.

Braslav from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Braslav.

• Tours for May to Belarus
• Last minute tours to Belarus

History paragraph

Braslav, located in the north-west of Belarus, on the shores of the picturesque Lake Drivyaty, was born a very long time ago. According to experts, already in the 9th century, a Balto-Slavic settlement was located on the site of the modern city. In documentary sources it is mentioned under the name Bryachislavl, apparently on behalf of the Polotsk prince Bryachislav Izyaslavich, who built the first fortifications on the castle hill. Like other Belarusian lands, in the 13th century Bryachislavl became part of the growing power of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and became the hereditary possession of Grand Duke Gediminas, and then his son Yavnut. At the very beginning of the 16th century, the city received Magdeburg Law from Grand Duke Alexander Jagiellonczyk - a rarity and honor at that time.

The history of Braslav is full of terrible pages - the city was captured, burned, rebuilt and re-occupied more than once. The center of the Braslav Lakes suffered especially during the Nazi occupation.

The 17th and 18th centuries turned out to be difficult for Braslav. Like a significant part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the city became the scene of fierce battles between Poland, Russia, Sweden and other states. During this period, Braslav was completely destroyed several times. After 1793, when the third partition of Poland took place, it became part of the Russian Empire. During the Patriotic War it was occupied by French troops under the command of the legendary Marshal Ney. Later, due to the Bolshevik coup and the conclusion of the shameful Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, it was occupied by German troops, after some time annexed to Poland, and in 1939 again captured, but by the Soviet army. During the years of German occupation, about 2 thousand Jews were shot here. Today Braslav is one of the most popular tourist centers Belarus.

How to get there

You can get to Braslav by train. The nearest large stations are “Polotsk”, “Druya”, “Sharkovshchina” (hereinafter - by taxi or regular bus). There are also frequent buses from Minsk.

By car you can take the M1 highway, after Smolensk turn onto the P-120 to Rudnya and go to Vitebsk along the P-20. Next to Polotsk and Miory. The distance from Moscow is about 700 km.

Entertainment and attractions of Braslav

The most ancient place in Braslav is a settlement on Castle Hill. As mentioned above, it was here that the Prince of Polotsk Bryachislav founded a fortress on the border of his possessions. From the mountain there is a beautiful view of the cozy town and the wide expanse of Lake Drivyaty. Here you can see wooden statues of ancient inhabitants, as well as diagrams of the ancient settlement.

In addition, in Braslav there are many beautiful churches, and, due to the historical characteristics of Belarus, both Orthodox and Catholic. It is definitely worth visiting the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1897 in the then popular pseudo-Russian style. One cannot fail to mention the Catholic Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. It was built back in 1824, but later rebuilt in the neo-Romanesque style due to the fact that it could no longer accommodate all the believers.

The history of the church is connected with the tragic events of World War II. The rector of the temple, Mieczysław Akrejc, was executed by the Nazi city administration for providing assistance to Jews. The temple was closed in 1950, but was soon given back to believers.

In the church there is an icon of the Virgin Mary, called the “Queen of the Lakes,” and is considered the patroness of the city.

The city also has interesting monuments of civil architecture from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. For example, the building of the former zemstvo hospital, a railway station and a water mill. Of course, one of the main attractions of the Braslav region is the unique Braslav Lakes National Park. This place is a land of amazingly beautiful landscapes, eternal forests full of animals, and most importantly, wonderful peace and quiet. You can enjoy them in one of the sanatoriums or recreation centers - there are, fortunately, for every color and taste.