Nawapolazk: City History at the Museum

For travelers interested in city history, Nawapolazk offers a cultural point of interest: the Museum of the History and Culture of Novopolotsk traces the city’s development across four thematic halls. The exhibition combines early history with the story of major industrial enterprises, giving each a different focus.

City History and Industry at the Museum

The first hall covers the early history of Novopolotsk, from the first tent to the first gasoline. It also shows what a youth hostel looked like in the 1960s. These subjects offer a glimpse into different periods of the city’s history without focusing on just one time frame.

The second hall features a model of Novopolotsk and its major industrial enterprises, viewed from a bridge with a transparent floor. Other exhibits cover the development of the Naftan refinery and the Polimir chemical plant. This brings the city as a whole and the history of individual companies together in the same hall.

The exhibition is divided into four thematic halls. Temporary displays, as well as individual objects and design elements, may change.

A Described Water Route

A water tourism route along the Western Dvina is described as a Polotsk–Novopolotsk–Polotsk route. One of its stops is the “First Tent” obelisk. Before making specific plans, check whether the route is currently operating and verify the water conditions.

More Culture and Nature in Vitebsk Region

The wider destination of Vitebsk Region also offers independent points of interest for culture-minded travelers. In Polotsk, the National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve includes eleven museums. The Museum of the History of the Architecture of St. Sophia Cathedral is housed in the cathedral, an architectural monument dating from the mid-11th to the mid-18th century.

At St. Sophia Cathedral, visitors can see masonry fragments from the 11th century, an almost completely preserved ground plan or foundation, and frescoes from the late 11th century. The Polotsk Art Gallery offers a different perspective on the city’s history, telling the story of Polotsk and Belarus through religious and secular works of art.

Vitebsk Region’s landscapes also offer a range of different experiences. Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve preserves natural complexes of Eastern Europe’s mixed forest zone, as well as forest and wetland ecosystems. An ecological forest trail passes through mixed forest, secondary birch forest, pine forest, and raised bog. The reserve offers one- and two-hour horseback rides in the forest.

In Braslav Lakes National Park, the Mayak Hill viewpoint lies between Lakes Snudy and Strusto, offering views across lake waters, islands, and shallows. The “Mayak Hill” ecological trail begins at the foot of the hill. The national park also offers excursions on a tour boat or motorboat, as well as cycling and SUP trips. The examples from Vitebsk Region are distinctly varied, ranging from museums and city history to forest landscapes and activities on the water.

Discover more destinations: Zyabki, Puśki, Hlybokaje, Miory, Vitebsk, Hili, Zastadollie, Pastavy.

Back to the wider travel overview: Vitebsk Region.