EVERYTHING WHAT YOU NEEDTO DREAM...
Belarus >
Polatsk
KNOWLEDGE OF Polatsk
The Old East Slavic name, Polotesk, is derived from the Polota river, that flows into Dvina nearby. The Vikings rendered that name as Palteskja, or Paltejsborg.
Polatsk is one of the most ancient cities of the Eastern Slavs. It was mentioned for the first time by the Primary Chronicle in 862 (as ПолотеÑ?къ, /poloteskÅ/), together with Murom and Beloozero. The Norse sagas describe the city as the most heavily fortified in all of Rus.
Between the 10th and 12th centuries, the principality of Polatsk emerged as the dominant center of power in what is now Belarusian territory, with a lesser role played by the principality of TuraÅ to the south. It repeatedly asserted its sovereignty in relation to other centers of Kievan Rus, becoming a political capital, the episcopal see and the controller of vassal territories among Balts in the west. Its most powerful ruler was prince Vseslav Bryachislavich (reigned from 1044 to 1101).
Polatsk became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1307, and it is said to have been the main center of trade in the state. The Magdeburg law was adopted in 1498. Captured by the Russian army of Ivan the Terrible in 1563, it was returned to Poland just 15 years later. That period of warfare started the gradual decline of the city. After the first partition of Poland Polatsk degraded to the status of a small provincial town of the Russian Empire.
Polatsk is one of the most ancient cities of the Eastern Slavs. It was mentioned for the first time by the Primary Chronicle in 862 (as ПолотеÑ?къ, /poloteskÅ/), together with Murom and Beloozero. The Norse sagas describe the city as the most heavily fortified in all of Rus.
Between the 10th and 12th centuries, the principality of Polatsk emerged as the dominant center of power in what is now Belarusian territory, with a lesser role played by the principality of TuraÅ to the south. It repeatedly asserted its sovereignty in relation to other centers of Kievan Rus, becoming a political capital, the episcopal see and the controller of vassal territories among Balts in the west. Its most powerful ruler was prince Vseslav Bryachislavich (reigned from 1044 to 1101).
Polatsk became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1307, and it is said to have been the main center of trade in the state. The Magdeburg law was adopted in 1498. Captured by the Russian army of Ivan the Terrible in 1563, it was returned to Poland just 15 years later. That period of warfare started the gradual decline of the city. After the first partition of Poland Polatsk degraded to the status of a small provincial town of the Russian Empire.
Chapi